2001 Masters (snooker)

Professional non-ranking snooker tournament, Feb 2001 November 2020 November 2020 2001 Benson & Hedges Masters 2001 02 4 2001 02 11 y Wembley Conference Centre London England WPBSA Non-ranking event £650,000 £175,000 Paul Hunter ENG (136) Jimmy White ENG (136) Paul Hunter ENG Fergal O'Brien IRL 10–9 2000 2002 The 2001 Masters (officially the 2001 Benson & Hedges Masters) was a professional invitational snooker tournament held at the Wembley Conference Centre, London, from 4 to 11 February 2001. It was the 27th edition of The Masters, a Triple Crown event and the third of the five World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) invitational events in the 2000–01 snooker season. It followed the 2000 Scottish Masters and preceded the 2001 Malta Grand Prix. Sponsored by the cigarette company Benson & Hedges, the event had a total prize fund of £650,000, with £175,000 going to the winner. Matthew Stevens was the tournament's defending champion, but he lost in the second round to Paul Hunter, who went on to reach the final with victories over Peter Ebdon in the quarter-finals and Stephen Hendry in the semi-finals. Hunter's opponent in the final was Fergal O'Brien, who had defeated Dave Harold in his semi-final. Hunter defeated O'Brien 10–9 to win the first of three Masters titles. He and wild card entrant Jimmy White made century breaks of 136, which were the competition's two highest break breaks. Overview The Masters is an invitational snooker tournament that was first held in 1975; the 2001 competition saw the top-16 players from the snooker world rankings play and a sponsors' selection entrant and the Benson and Hedges Championship victor invited to participate as wild cards.Benson and Hedges Masters http://www.tsnsnooker.com/cont/art/na00364.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20010426103840/http://www.tsnsnooker.com/cont/art/na00364.htm 26 April 2001 11 November 2020 TSN Snooker It is one of the three Triple Crown events in the game of snooker, the others being the World Snooker Championship and the UK Championship,The Dafabet Masters http://www.worldsnooker.com/tournaments/masters/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20150418171435/http://www.worldsnooker.com/tournaments/masters/ 18 April 2015 4 September 2016 World Snooker but it is not an official ranking tournament. The 2001 Masters was its 27th staging,Brief History of the Masters (Formerly the Benson & Hedges Masters) http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/masters.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110724180053/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/masters.html 24 July 2011 4 September 2016 Chris Turner's Snooker Archive dmy-all and the third of the five invitational events in the 2000–01 snooker season, following the 2000 Scottish Masters and preceding the 2001 Malta Grand Prix.Benson & Hedges Masters 2001 http://www.snooker.org/trn/0001/bm2001_res.shtml live https://web.archive.org/web/20050521205741/http://www.snooker.org/Trn/0001/bm2001_res.shtml 21 May 2005 11 November 2020 Snooker.org It occurred from 4 to 11 February 2001, at the Wembley Conference Centre, London.2001 Benson & Hedges Masters http://www.azbilliards.com/snooker/2000-01/01bhmasters.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020711185853/http://www.azbilliards.com/snooker/2000-01/01bhmasters.html 11 July 2002 11 November 2020 AZBilliards.com Sponsored by the tobacco company Benson & Hedges and organised by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association,March 2001 BBC throw weight behind WPBSA Snooker Scene Birmingham, England Everton's News Agency 3–4 it had a total prize fund of £650,000, with £175,000 going to the winner; the host broadcaster was the BBC. All games were played as best-of-11 frame frames, except for the final which was the best-of-19 frames. Bookmakers made Mark Williams, the world champion, the favourite to win.1 February 2001 Williams favourite for Masters title https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1148815.stm live https://web.archive.org/web/20021222004337/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1148815.stm 22 December 2002 11 November 2020 BBC Sport Stephen Hendry, the winner of 32 ranking titles, commented, "In my last four tournaments, I've had two semis, a quarter and a final. Although that's quite steady, it's nowhere near what I expect of myself. Anything less than winning the tournament is a failure. There's still room for a lot of improvement."Keogh Frank 1 February 2001 Hendry: I must improve https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1143083.stm live https://web.archive.org/web/20021222193748/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1143083.stm 22 December 2002 11 November 2020 BBC Sport Prize fund The breakdown of prize money for the 2001 tournament is listed below. Winner: £175,000 Runner-up: £88,000 Semi-finals: £45,000 Quarter-finals: £30,000 Highest break: £20,000 Maximum break: £80,000 sports car Total: £650,000 Tournament summary Qualifying The Benson and Hedges Championship held at the Willie Thorne Snooker Centre, Malvern from 5 to 16 November 2000, determined one qualifier for the Masters' main draw.Baxter Trevor 3 November 2000 Maguire Has Some Tough Acts To Follow http://www.110sport.com/snooker/cont/art/na00833.php dead https://web.archive.org/web/20010430121026/http://www.110sport.com/snooker/cont/art/na00833.php 30 April 2001 12 November 2020 110Sport Entry was limited to any professional on the World Snooker Tour with a world ranking lower than 16th.2000 Benson and Hedges Championship http://www.azbilliards.com/snooker/2000-01/00bhchamps.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020711190642/http://www.azbilliards.com/snooker/2000-01/00bhchamps.html 11 July 2002 11 November 2020 AZBilliards.com The winner earned £5,000 prize money with the runner-up receiving £3,000.18 November 2000 Murphy through to Masters The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/murphy-through-to-masters-624324.html live 11 November 2020 14 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201114154348/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/murphy-through-to-masters-624324.html Shaun Murphy defeated Andrew Atkinson, Gary Ponting, Hugh Abernethy, Ali Carter, Nick Walker, Ryan Day and Mark Davis to reach the final where he played Stuart Bingham, who beat Colm Gilcreest, Barry Cox, Craig Harrison, Sean Storey, Gary Wilkinson and Andy Hicks.Benson & Hedges Championship http://www.sky.com/sports/snooker/results/story25.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20001214101700/http://www.sky.com/sports/snooker/results/story25.htm 14 December 2000 12 November 2020 Sky Sports Murphy came from 5–2 behind to defeat Bingham 9–7 and qualify for the Masters. At 18 years old, Murphy was one of the youngest champions in tournament history. David McLellan achieved his first maximum break, the second of the season, and the 40th in professional snooker in the last frame of his second round match with Steve Meakin.McLellan achieves maximum success https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A82407395/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=21615701 The Scotsman 8 November 2000 13 November 2020 20 Gale OneFile: News subscription 14 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201114154356/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA82407395&v=2.1&it=r&sid=GPS&asid=21615701 liveIn Brief; Snooker https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A66695828/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=83955783 Birmingham Post 8 November 2000 13 November 2020 35 Gale OneFile: News subscription 14 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201114154415/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA66695828&v=2.1&it=r&sid=GPS&asid=83955783 live Round 1 The first round, in which the two wild cards and those ranked 15th and 16th participated, took place on 4 February.1 February 2001 B&H; Masters full draw https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1127819.stm live https://web.archive.org/web/20021223034527/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1127819.stm 23 December 2002 12 November 2020 BBC Sport Murphy, a former United Kingdom Under-15 title winner, made break breaks of 113, 102 and 84 from frames two to four to beat world number 15 Marco Fu 6–1 but failed to become the first player to achieve three century breaks in a row at the Masters when he could not pot a green ball in the fourth frame.Dee John 4 February 2001 Snooker: Cool Hunter preys on Stevens' weakness https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/2998229/Snooker-Cool-Hunter-preys-on-Stevens-weakness.html subscription live https://web.archive.org/web/20201114154353/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/2998229/Snooker-Cool-Hunter-preys-on-Stevens-weakness.html 14 November 2020 12 November 2020 The Daily Telegraph Jimmy White, the world number 18 whose wild card allowed him to enter the Masters for the 20th time, took 85 minutes to defeat Joe Swail 6–1, which included a total clearance of 136 in frame seven.Dee John 5 February 2001 White sweeps on as Swail is blown away The Daily Telegraph https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A69950462/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=eabe6a50 live subscription 12 November 2020 Gale OneFile: News 14 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201114154349/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA69950462&v=2.1&it=r&sid=GPS&asid=eabe6a50 Round 2 thumb|right|upright|John Parrott achieved his first victory in the UK since the 2000 World Championship in the second round of the tournament The second round matches from 4 to 7 February featured the two first round winners and participants ranked 1st to 14th. The tournament's reigning champion Matthew Stevens led the 2001 Welsh Open runner-up Paul Hunter 2–0 and then 5–4 before a break of 74 from Hunter forced a final frame decider. Hunter secured the 42-minute final frame for a 6–5 victory to end a match that lasted almost three hours and earn his first win at the arena.5 February 2001 Black day for Stevens The Herald https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12147851.black-day-for-stevens/ live 12 November 2020 14 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201114154417/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12147851.black-day-for-stevens/ World number 13 Dave Harold overturned a 2–1 deficit to world number one John Higgins with breaks of 86. 55, 52, 67 and 71 to win by 6–3 and win for the first time at the Masters in three attempts.Pierson Mark 6 February 2001 Snooker: Harold humbles Higgins 25 The Independent https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A70011283/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=addbadff live subscription 12 November 2020 Gale General OneFile 14 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201114154355/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA70011283&v=2.1&it=r&sid=GPS&asid=addbadff Hendry, six-time Masters champion, faced Murphy. He won the first frame on a 99 clearance before Murphy took four frames in succession to lead 4–1. Hendry made breaks of 94, 56, 78 and 71 for five frames in a row and a 6–4 victory; Murphy compiled 15 points in that time.Everton Clive Clive Everton 6 February 2001 Snooker: Hendry escapes Murphy's claw 28 The Guardian https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A71414523/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=2f440435 live subscription 12 November 2020 Gale General OneFile 14 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201114154349/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA71414523&v=2.1&it=r&sid=GPS&asid=2f4404356 February 2001 Hendry forced to call on fighting qualities; Snooker 34 The Times https://www.proquest.com/docview/318445184 live subscription 12 November 2020 14 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201114154402/https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special%3AUserLogin&uselang=en&returnto=Special%3AOAuth%2Fauthenticate&returntoquery=%26oauth_consumer_key%3Dc656df92ac58925bbcb164666bde5baf%26oauth_token%3D3af5c181d9e4237633801e2727fb256c 318445184 The 1995 semi-finalist Peter Ebdon took 3 hours and 40 minutes and made breaks of 135 and 104 in beating Alan McManus 6–4.Everton Clive 6 February 2001 Scots shocked in Wembley classics https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1155261.stm live https://web.archive.org/web/20021221235909/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1155261.stm 21 December 2002 12 November 2020 BBC Sport5 February 2001 Hendry Bounces Back to Oust Murphy http://www.worldsnooker.com/snooker_media_centre/bensons/media_benson_masters3.asp dead https://web.archive.org/web/20010219010547/http://www.worldsnooker.com/snooker_media_centre/bensons/media_benson_masters3.asp 19 February 2001 12 November 2020 World Snooker John Parrott, a three-time Masters runner-up,6 February 2001 Parrott back on perch https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1156994.stm live https://web.archive.org/web/20030326054406/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1156994.stm 26 March 2003 12 November 2020 BBC Sport played the world number five Stephen Lee.Everton Clive 7 February 2001 Snooker: Parrott finds new lease of life after win over Lee 28 The Guardian https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A71414707/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=9a37c08f live subscription 12 November 2020 Gale General OneFile 14 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201114154350/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA71414707&v=2.1&it=r&sid=GPS&asid=9a37c08f Breaks of 88 and 109 gave Lee a 3–1 lead before Parrott drew level at 4–4. The following two frames were shared, forcing a final frame decider. Parrott took the half-hour final frame to win 6–5 in his first UK victory since the first round of the 2000 World Snooker Championship. Parrott quipped the game could be broadcast on the BBC's A Question of Sport, "What happened next – John Parrott won a snooker match." There were 2,374 spectators watching Ronnie O'Sullivan play White, the largest crowd for a non-final Masters game in 18 years.Dee John 6 February 2001 Old Boys White and Parrott Through to Last Eight http://www.embassysnooker.com/news/442.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20010430054049/http://www.embassysnooker.com/news/442.htm 30 April 2001 12 November 2020 Embassy Snooker O'Sullivan won frame one on a 101 break before White took the next five frames to be within one of victory. O'Sullivan took frame seven before White's 117 clearance gave him a 6–2 win. Post-match, O'Sullivan questioned whether he had the temperament to continue playing snooker. Fergal O'Brien made breaks of 54, 88, 102, 99 and 53 to defeat Williams 6–5, and Ken Doherty beat Anthony Hamilton 6–1 with breaks of 52, 107, 51, 47 and 48; Hamilton compiled a 119 break in the third frame.8 February 2001 Doherty too strong for Hamilton https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1159437.stm live https://web.archive.org/web/20021126110424/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1159437.stm 26 November 2002 12 November 2020 BBC Sport Quarter-finals All four quarter-finals were held between 8 and 9 February. The first quarter-final was between Ebdon and Hunter.B & H Masters Draw http://www.110sport.com/snooker/cont/trn/sched/BHoop.php dead https://web.archive.org/web/20010422224905/http://www.110sport.com/snooker/cont/trn/sched/BHoop.php 22 April 2001 12 November 2020 110Sport Ebdon won the first frame and Hunter the second and third in 43 minutes. Ebdon took frames four and five before Hunter equalled the score at 3–3 in frame six. Hunter came from 50–0 behind to win frame seven on the black ball and completed a 6–3 win with breaks of 70 and 44.Murray Shane 8 February 2001 Snooker: Hunter books first semi spot RTÉ Sport https://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2001/0208/154122-hunterp/ live 12 November 2020 14 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201114154350/https://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2001/0208/154122-hunterp/ Post-match, Hunter said he had to maintain his concentration since Ebdon was playing slower than normal. Harold played Parrott in the second quarter-final. Harold won frame one with a break of 114 before Parrott took five frames in succession to lead 5–1. Harold won the next four frames, and forced a final frame decider that ended on a re-spotted black after his clearance levelled the score at 56–56.Yates Phil 9 February 2001 Harold storms back to stun sick Parrott at last gasp; Snooker 37 The Times https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A70219714/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=99b3a2fe live subscription 12 November 2020 Gale Academic OneFile 14 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201114154351/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA70219714&v=2.1&it=r&sid=GPS&asid=99b3a2fe9 February 2001 Harold comeback stuns Parrott https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1161468.stm live https://web.archive.org/web/20021222054427/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1161468.stm 22 December 2002 12 November 2020 BBC Sport After seven shots were played, Harold potted the black ball to win 6–5. Harold called it "one of the best wins of my career", while Parrott admitted blame for losing, "I had enough chances to sink a battleship but the vital ball just kept scuppering me." The third quarter-final featured Hendry and White. Security staff was increased by 50 per cent for the game because of White's support. Two people from the crowd of 1,649 were removed from the arena by security staff. Some spectators made sounds as Hendry was playing.9 February 2001 Day 6 – Hendry Calms The Whirlwind http://worldsnooker.com/snooker_media_centre/bensons/media_benson_masters7.asp dead https://web.archive.org/web/20010305031453/http://worldsnooker.com/snooker_media_centre/bensons/media_benson_masters7.asp 5 March 2001 12 November 2020 World Snooker Alan Chamberlain, the match referee, sought to maintain order,10 February 2001 Hendry enjoys a bitter-sweet victory in White-hot cauldron The Herald https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12149506.hendry-enjoys-a-bitter-sweet-victory-in-white-hot-cauldron/ live 12 November 2020 14 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201114154408/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12149506.hendry-enjoys-a-bitter-sweet-victory-in-white-hot-cauldron/ and White asked for all the interrupters to be ejected. Ahead 3–1, White left a red ball on the edge of one of the centre pocket pockets, allowing Hendry to make a 45 clearance for frame four.Yates Phil 10 February 2001 Hendry staggers over finish line to deny hecklers; Snooker 40 The Times https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A70273615/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=fb2f7146 live subscription 12 November 2020 Gale Academic OneFile 14 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201114154417/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA70273615&v=2.1&it=r&sid=GPS&asid=fb2f7146 He took the lead with a 113 century break, the 519th of his professional career, in frame seven, and won two of the next three frames to win 6–4. Doherty and O'Brien played the last quarter-final. O'Brien won the first three frames on breaks of 84, 58 and 61 as Doherty complied four points in response. O'Brien took frame four before sharing the next three frames until he won the match 6–2 in frame eight after Doherty missed the brown ball.9 February 2001 O'Brien wins old pals act https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1163177.stm live https://web.archive.org/web/20021124074309/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1163177.stm 24 November 2002 12 November 2020 BBC Sport Semi-finals thumb|right|upright|Fergal O'Brien reached the final, beating Dave Harold in the semi-finals. Both of the semi-finals occurred on 10 February. The first-semi-final was between Hendry and Hunter. The match was tied at 3–3; Hunter made a 101 century break in frame four and a 99 break in the fifth. Hunter won frame seven and Hendry the eighth. Hunter took the lead with breaks of 60 and 65 in frame nine won him and then secured the match 6–4 on a fluked green to the centre pocket and a clearance up to the pink ball.10 February 2001 Hunter bags Hendry scalp BBC Sport https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1163718.stm live 12 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20020916202354/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1163718.stm 16 September 2002 Hunter said that defeating Hendry in the arena "has to be the best result I have ever achieved". He was aware the latter was missing long-distance pots. "Stephen had a couple of decent breaks so it was important I did as well just to show him how well I was playing. I thought I would be nervous at the end but I was totally relaxed."Dee John 11 February 2001 Hunter To Face O'Brien in B&H Final http://www.embassysnooker.com/news/449.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20010618144739/http://www.embassysnooker.com/news/449.htm 18 June 2001 18 June 2001 Embassy Snooker Hendry commented Hunter was better that day but felt he could have won had he potted a quarter of the long-range shots he played, adding, "It's disappointing to lose any match anywhere and this is no exception. I hate losing and I always will." The other semi-final was between Harold and O'Brien. A break of 97 won O'Brien frame one and Harold took the second on a 116 break. On both sides of the mid-session interval, O'Brien won four frames in a row to lead 5–1. Harold won the next three frames to be 5–4 behind. In frame ten, O'Brien exchanged multiple safety shot safety shots before winning the frame and the match 6–4 on the black ball to advance to the final.11 February 2001 O'Brien eyes final after ousting Harold https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1164473.stm live https://web.archive.org/web/20020916234921/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1164473.stm 16 September 2002 12 November 2020 BBC Sport Post-match, O'Brien said: "It was a big battle. The pressure was beginning to build towards the end and I could see it slipping away. I was fortunate to be 5–1 up after not really dominating the match but it's a great win for me." Harold commented, "I left myself with a little too much to do. It was a bridge too far. You can do that kind of thing once but doing it again is too much to ask." Final The final between Hunter and O'Brien was played as the best-of-19 frames over two session sessions before 2,483 spectators on 11 February.Final Day – Paul Hunter Reigns Supreme at the Benson & Hedges Masters http://worldsnooker.com/snooker_media_centre/bensons/media_benson_masters9.asp World Snooker 11 February 2001 12 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20010412065624/http://worldsnooker.com/snooker_media_centre/bensons/media_benson_masters9.asp 12 April 2001 dead When Hunter missed the pink in the first frame, O'Brien won it after half an hour and took the second following Hunter's miss on the blue ball. Hunter won his first frame in the third before a break of 80 from O'Brien earned him frame four going into the interval. O'Brien took frames five and six after errors by Hunter, but Hunter won frame seven on a break of 52. The eighth frame which lasted 38 minutes,Yates Phil Big game Hunter turns tables on O'Brien; Snooker https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A70382133/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=09681a12 The Times 12 February 2001 12 November 2020 Gale Academic OneFile subscription 14 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201114154423/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA70382133&v=2.1&it=r&sid=GPS&asid=09681a12 live saw O'Brien lead Hunter 6–2 at the conclusion of the first session after Hunter foul fouled by potting the black while playing a shot on the brown.Framewatch: Hunter 10–9 O'Brien https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1164910.stm BBC Sport 12 February 2001 12 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20020916230816/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1164910.stm 16 September 2002 live On resumption of the match, O'Brien made a break of 49 after Hunter missed a red ball in the centre, but a 52 clearance completed on the black ball by Hunter won him the ninth frame. O'Brien took frame 10 before Hunter won the next three frames to draw within a frame of his opponent;Everton Clive Snooker: Hunter hangs tough https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A71411988/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=52514777 The Guardian 12 February 2001 12 November 2020 9 Gale General OneFile subscription 14 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201114154423/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA71411988&v=2.1&it=r&sid=GPS&asid=52514777 live Hunter made clearances of 129 and 133 in frames 12 and 13. A break of 88 in frame 14 allowed O'Brien to restore a two-frame lead at 8–6. Hunter won the next three frames without reply to lead for the first time at 9–8; he equalled White when he made his highest clearance of 136 in frame 16 and made a 132 clearance in frame 17. In the 18th frame, O'Brien came from 44 points behind to force a final frame decider on a clearance from the last red up to the pink. Hunter fouled twice in attempting to escape from snookers,Snooker: O'Brien Hunted down in Masters thriller https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/arid-30003828.html Irish Examiner 12 February 2001 12 November 2020 14 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201114154427/https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/arid-30003828.html live allowing O'Brien to nominate the green as his free ball, before missing the blue ball. Hunter made a clearance from the brown to the pink to win the 46-minute frame 77–44 and the match 10–9.Baxter Trevor 12 February 2001 Hunter holds nerve to pip O'Brien in late, late show 8 The Scotsman https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A82425959/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=6bcdbeec subscription 12 November 2020 Gale OneFile: News 14 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201114154424/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA82425959&v=2.1&it=r&sid=GPS&asid=6bcdbeec live It was the first of three Masters victories for Hunter; he won it twice more, in 2002 and 2004.Baxter Trevor 11 October 2006 Paul Hunter The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/paul-hunter-419492.html live 13 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20090504073842/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/paul-hunter-419492.html 4 May 2009 He earned £175,000 prize money for winning the competition,Dee John 12 February 2001 Snooker: Hunter shoots down O'Brien to become the Master The Daily Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/2998706/Snooker-Hunter-shoots-down-OBrien-to-become-the-Master.html live subscription 12 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201114154424/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/2998706/Snooker-Hunter-shoots-down-OBrien-to-become-the-Master.html 14 November 2020 which was his first major victory since the 1998 Welsh Open. He commented on the success, "To add my name to this trophy is a dream come true. I perhaps haven't fulfilled my potential but I'm only 22 and hopefully there are a lot more titles left in me."12 February 2001 Dream come true for Master Hunter https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1165767.stm live https://web.archive.org/web/20020917173527/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2001/benson_and_hedges_masters/1165767.stm 17 September 2002 13 November 2020 BBC Sport O'Brien said he was disappointed to have missed a red ball in frame 11 for a possible 8–3 lead, which he felt lost him the chance to win the Masters, adding, "It's disappointing to lose like I did but I've had a great week and beaten some fantastic players. I was a little tired but that's not an excuse. But I'll replay some of those misses in the last frame for some time to come." Main draw First round Numbers given in brackets after players names show the competition's 15th and 16th seeds. Players in bold indicate match winners. Match Date Score WC1 4 February Marco Fu HKG (15) 1–6 Shaun Murphy ENG WC2 4 February Joe Swail NIR (16) 1–6 Jimmy White ENG Second round to final Numbers to the left of players' names show the tournament seedings. Players in bold denote match winners. 200 Last 16 Best of 11 frames Quarter-finals Best of 11 frames Semi-finals Best of 11 frames Final Best of 19 frames 1 Matthew Stevens WAL 5 14 Paul Hunter ENG 6 8 Alan McManus SCO 4 12 Peter Ebdon ENG 6 5 Ronnie O'Sullivan ENG 2 Jimmy White ENG 6 4 Stephen Hendry SCO 6 Shaun Murphy ENG 4 3 John Higgins SCO 3 13 Dave Harold ENG 6 6 Stephen Lee ENG 5 10 John Parrott ENG 6 7 Ken Doherty IRL 6 11 Anthony Hamilton ENG 1 2 Mark Williams WAL 5 9 Fergal O'Brien IRL 6 14 ENG Paul Hunter 6 12 ENG Peter Ebdon 3 ENG Jimmy White 4 4 SCO Stephen Hendry 6 13 ENG Dave Harold 6 10 ENG John Parrott 5 7 IRL Ken Doherty 2 9 IRL Fergal O'Brien 6 14 ENG Paul Hunter 6 4 SCO Stephen Hendry 4 13 ENG Dave Harold 4 9 IRL Fergal O'Brien 6 14 ENG Paul Hunter 10 9 IRL Fergal O'Brien 9 Final The bold text in the table indicate winning frame scores and the winning player. Breaks over 50 are indicated in brackets. Final: Best of 19 frames. Referee: Jan VerhaasTriple Crown Final Referees https://wst.tv/corporate/referees/triple-crown-final-referees/ dead 13 November 2020 World Snooker 17 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200917121904/https://wst.tv/corporate/referees/triple-crown-final-referees/Wembley Conference Centre, London, England, 11 February 2001. Paul Hunter (14) 10–9 Fergal O'Brien (9) Afternoon: 40–59, 57–68, 67–44, 48–80 (80), 30–72, 56–71, 78–0 (51), 34–64 Evening: 61–53 (Hunter 52), 54–57, 51–43, 133–6 (129), 136–0 (101), 0–88 (88), 104–0 (75), 136–0 (136), 132–0 (132), 44–62, 77–44 136 Highest break 88 4 Century breaks 0 7 50+ breaks 2 Qualifying Players highlighted in bold are the winners of the Benson and Hedges Tournament from the quarter-finals to the final. Quarter-finalsBest of 9 frames Semi-finalsBest of 11 frames FinalBest of 17 frames Shaun Murphy ENG 5 Ryan Day WAL 2 Mark Davis ENG 5 Lee Spick ENG 2 Andy Hicks ENG 5 David Gray ENG 4 Stuart Bingham ENG 5 Gary Wilkinson ENG 4 ENG Shaun Murphy 6 ENG Mark Davis 1 ENG Stuart Bingham 6 ENG Andy Hicks 2 ENG Shaun Murphy 9 ENG Stuart Bingham 7 Century breaks The main stage of the 2001 Masters saw 11 players achieve a total of 19 century breaks. The competition's two highest breaks were a pair of 136s compiled by both Hunter in the 16th frame of the final with O'Brien and by White in the final frame of his first round match with Fu. Both players shared the £20,000 highest break prize. 136, 132, 129, 101, 101 Paul Hunter 136, 117 Jimmy White 135, 104 Peter Ebdon 119 Anthony Hamilton 116, 114 Dave Harold 113, 102 Shaun Murphy 113 Stephen Hendry 109 Stephen Lee 107 Ken Doherty 102 Fergal O'Brien 101 Ronnie O'Sullivan References 30em Category:Masters (snooker) Category:Wembley Category:Sport in the London Borough of Brent Masters Snooker Masters Snooker Category:February 2001 sports events in the United Kingdom