1. ALEX HIGGINS v JIMMY WHITE, 1982
This was the two most popular, attacking players of their generation head to head. What transpired did not disappoint. Leading 15-14, White was on the verge of reaching his first Crucible final but Higgins stole the thirtieth frame on the black with a clearance many still regard as the finest in the sport’s history and won 16-15.

2. STEPHEN HENDRY v RONNIE O’SULLIVAN, 1999
For pure standard of play this was a classic. O’Sullivan constructed four centuries breaks but Hendry matched that total and refused to be denied. The Scot pulled away from 13-13 to win 17-13 and went on to overcome Mark Williams 18-11 in the final to claim his seventh Crucible title, a record that will take some overhauling.

3. KEN DOHERTY v PAUL HUNTER, 2003
Doherty trailed 6-2 after the first session, 11-5 following the second and 15-9 going into the decisive passage of play but the Dubliner stubbornly fought on. What seemed impossible turned into a 17-16 victory for Doherty as Hunter won only one of the closing nine frames.

4. STEPHEN HENDRY v JIMMY WHITE, 1995
En route to the fifth of his seven World Championship wins, Hendry compiled five century breaks, including a 147, during his 16-12 success against Jimmy White. All of the other five maximums at the Crucible were recorded in either the first round or the last 16.

5. TERRY GRIFFITHS v EDDIE CHARLTON, 1979
Griffiths, a rookie professional on his Crucible debut, produced an extraordinary series of clearances and pressure pots to beat Eddie Charlton 19-17. “I’m in the final now, you know,” he told the BBC’s David Vine and four days later the Welshman was world champion thanks to a less dramatic 24-16 victory over Dennis Taylor.

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