Four To Follow

Ken Doherty (Ireland)

World number three; Date of birth: 17-09-69. A hugely popular winner last May when the likeable Dubliner became the first player to win the world professional and world amateur titles.

Tens of thousands lined the streets of Dublin to welcome him home while Doherty paraded his trophy at Old Trafford and Landsdowne Road.

Goes to the Crucible after failing to win a major trophy in the past 12 months but has reached the semi-finals of the recent British Open, Benson and Hedges Irish Masters and Thailand Masters.

Stephen Hendry (Scotland)

World number one; Date of birth: 13.01.69. HIS victory over John Parrott in the Thailand Masters brought him a record 29th ranking title, bettering the total of 28 he previously shared with Steve Davis.

The 1997-98 campaign has so far been the least successful of his 13year professional career but the rejuvenated Scot appears to be running into form at exactly the right time.

Lost only two matches at the Crucible this decade: 18-12 against Doherty in last year's final and 13-11 to Steve James in the 1991 quarter-finals.

John Higgins (Scotland)

World number two; Date of birth: 18-05-75. Surprisingly for such a prolific title winner this will only be the his fourth appearance in the final stages.

A quarter-finalist for the past two seasons, Higgins is hotly tipped to win the title after a remarkably consistent season when he has won three trophies and qualified for seven finals.

Celtic supporter Higgins enjoyed the perfect send-off to Sheffield, beating Hendry 9-8 last Sun- day in the final of the British Open at Plymouth.

Ronnie O'Sullivan

(England) World number seven; Date of birth: 5-12-75. Once tipped to become the youngest ever winner of the world title, superseding Alex Higgins's record. That chance has gone with only a semi-final to show for his trips to South Yorkshire. This though could be the "Rocket's" year after his successes in the UK Championship, Regal Scottish and Irish Masters.

Last year at Sheffield made his record breaking maximum 147 break in only five minutes 20 seconds to pick-up £165,000.