By Richard Preen

World Ranking: 6
Date Of Birth: 13/01/69
Form: QF/W/RU/RU/R16
World Championship best: Winner 90,92,93,94,95,96,99

The world's greatest ever snooker player returns to Sheffield with his appetite for the game seemingly renewed after a few seasons without an event win.

27 months went by before Stephen Hendry finally put a stop to the rot and claimed the 2001 European Open by beating Joe Perry 9-2.

Since then Hendry has started to show his form of old and has added to his title haul this season by winning the Welsh Open against good friend Mark Williams.

His improved performances have also helped him to secure final berths in the Benson and Hedges Masters and European Open.

The days of winning three or four events a season may be gone but this filters down to all the players, as the competition is so much stronger in today's game.

Hendry holds a number of records including tournaments won, century breaks compiled, century breaks compiled in an individual tournament and remains the highest earning player with over £8 million in prize money to his name.

His form at the Crucible is unrivalled with his modern day achievement of seven world titles firmly standing out.

Hendry has since commented that winning his seventh title meant more to him than his previous six triumphs which enabled him to overtake Steve Davis and Ray Reardon with their respective six victories.

Hendry for all his success has had to pay the consequences as he became the villain on numerous occasions when compiling his world championship haul.

His opponent in four of those world finals was crowd favourite Jimmy White and it was always clear where the vocal support was being directed.

The partisan atmosphere had an inspirational effect on Hendry and simply propelled him towards the finishing line much to the disappointment of White's beleaguered fans.

Heading into this year's Championships, Hendry has to be considered one of the favourites although the draw places him in the same half as Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Williams.

If he can overcome these likely obstacles then surely Hendry will become champion for the eighth time.