UK Championship Final Preview

by user Alex Holowczak

Today, the UK Championship Final between Stephen Hendry and Peter Ebdon will grace The Barbican Centre, in York.

Hendry is ranked Number 1 in the world, and has won impressively this week against strong opposition. He was beating Ronnie O'Sullivan 4-1 before O'Sullivan abruptly conceded. A victory over Mark Williams 9-6 was also very impressive. He had a fight-back 9-7 win over Graeme Dott, the current World Champion, when it looked like Dott was running away with it, after coming from 5-3 down to lead 7-5. But Hendry won 4 frames in a row to go through. Hendry is a 7 time World Champion, and a 5 time UK Champion, with his last win in this tournament coming a decade ago.

Ebdon is ranked behind Hendry, but Ebdon's relocation of his base to Dubai seems to have helped his form. After being runner up in the World Championship, Ebdon has beaten World Number 4 John Higgins 9-7 in the Semi Finals, and a swiftening of his play seems to have made all the difference. He beat defending UK Champion and practice partner Ding Junhui earlier in the week, 9-5.

The two have met in 2 World Championship Finals in the past. In 1995, Hendry demolished Ebdon 18-9. In 2002, Ebdon prevailed 18-17 in a classic World Final. This should add to today's drama.

I think Hendry will win, and with it confirm his return to form, which could instate him as favourite for the World Championship in April and May. Ebdon will give him a good game, but Hendry is back to near his best in the early 90s – when he was unbeatable and won 6 of his World Titles.

Prediction: Hendry wins 9-7