View source for 2004 World Snooker Championship

{{Short description|Professional snooker tournament}}
{{about|the snooker tournament|the video game|World Championship Snooker 2004 (video game)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2012}}
{{Infobox individual snooker tournament
|tournament_name= 2004 [[Embassy (cigarette)|Embassy]] [[World Snooker Championship]]
|logo=File:Embassy_World_Snooker_2003-05_logo.png
|dates={{Start and end dates|2004|04|17|2004|05|3|df=y}}
|venue=[[Crucible Theatre]]
|location=[[Sheffield]]
|country=England
|organisation=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|WPBSA]]
|format=[[List of snooker ranking tournaments|Ranking event]]
|Total prize fund=£1,378,920
|winners_share=£250,000 
|highest_break={{flagathlete|[[Joe Perry (snooker player)|Joe Perry]]|ENG}} (145)
|winner={{flagathlete|[[Ronnie O'Sullivan]]|ENG}}
|runner_up={{flagathlete|[[Graeme Dott]]|SCO}}
|score=18{{nbnd}}8
|previous=[[2003 World Snooker Championship|2003]]
|next=[[2005 World Snooker Championship|2005]]}}

The '''2004 World Snooker Championship''' (officially the '''2004 Embassy World Snooker Championship''') was a professional [[snooker]] tournament that took place from 17 April to 3 May 2004 at the [[Crucible Theatre]] in [[Sheffield]], England. It was the 28th consecutive year the [[World Snooker Championship]] was held at the Crucible. The eighth and final ranking event of the [[2003–04 snooker season]], the tournament was organised by the [[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association]] and sponsored by cigarette company [[Embassy (cigarette)|Embassy]]. The total prize fund was £1,378,920, of which the winner received £250,000.

Qualifying rounds for the tournament took place from 10 to 20 February 2004 at [[Pontins]] in [[Prestatyn]], Wales. The 16 players who progressed through these qualifying rounds met the top 16 players from the [[snooker world rankings]]. The main stage of the event was contested as a [[single-elimination tournament]]. Both [[Ryan Day (snooker player)|Ryan Day]] and [[Stephen Maguire]] made their debuts in the main stage of the World Championship. 

[[Mark Williams (snooker player)|Mark Williams]] was the defending champion, having won the [[2003 World Snooker Championship|previous year's final]] 18{{nbnd}}16 against [[Ken Doherty]]. He lost 11{{nbnd}}13 to [[Joe Perry (snooker player)|Joe Perry]] in the second round. [[Ronnie O'Sullivan]], despite trailing 0{{nbnd}}5 to [[Graeme Dott]] in the final, won the match 18{{nbnd}}8 and claimed his second World Championship. This was the fourth biggest margin in a World final, a score O'Sullivan would recreate again in [[2008 World Snooker Championship|2008]] and [[2020 World Snooker Championship|2020]] over [[Ali Carter]] and [[Kyren Wilson]], respectively. A total of 55 century breaks were compiled during the event's main stage, the highest being a 145 made by [[Joe Perry (snooker player)|Joe Perry]].

==Background==
[[File:Sheffield_Crucible_theatre.png|alt=The Crucible Theatre from outside|thumb|upright=1.1|For the 28th consecutive year, the main stage of the tournament was held at the [[Crucible Theatre]] ''(pictured)'' in [[Sheffield]], England.]]

The inaugural [[1927 World Snooker Championship]], then known as the Professional Championship of Snooker, took place at various venues in England between November 1926 and May 1927. [[Joe Davis]] won the final—held at [[Camkin's Hall]] in [[Birmingham]] from 9 to 12&nbsp;May 1927—and went on to win the tournament 15 consecutive times before retiring undefeated after the [[1946 World Snooker Championship|1946 edition]] (no tournaments were held from 1941 to 1945 because of [[World War II]]).<ref name=":1">{{cite book |last=Everton |first=Clive |title=The History of Snooker and Billiards |publisher=[[Transworld (publisher)|Partridge Press]] |location=[[Haywards Heath]] |date=1986 |isbn=978-1-85225-013-3 |page=50}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite web |last=Turner |first=Chris |title=World Professional Championship |url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/world.html |website=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive |year=2008 |access-date=31 March 2024 |archive-date=6 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160606102115/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/world.html |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=11 July 1978 |title=Joe Davis, a snooker champion who retired unbeaten, Was 77 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/07/11/archives/joe-davis-a-snooker-champion-who-retired-unbeaten-was-77.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022194142/https://www.nytimes.com/1978/07/11/archives/joe-davis-a-snooker-champion-who-retired-unbeaten-was-77.html |archive-date=22 October 2023 |access-date=31 March 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]] |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The tournament went into abeyance after only two players contested the [[1952 World Snooker Championship|1952 edition]], due to a dispute between the Professional Billiards Players' Association (PBPA) and the [[Billiards Association and Control Council]] (BACC). The PBPA established an alternative tournament, the [[World Professional Match-play Championship|World Professional {{nowrap|Match-play}} Championship]], of which the six editions held between 1952 and 1957 are retroactively regarded as legitimate continuations of the World Snooker Championship. However, due to waning public interest in snooker during the {{nowrap|post-war}} era, that tournament was also discontinued, and the world title was uncontested between 1958 and 1963.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

Then-professional player [[Rex Williams]] was instrumental in reviving the World Snooker Championship on a challenge basis in 1964. [[John Pulman]], winner of the [[1957 World Professional Match-play Championship|1957 World Professional {{nowrap|Match-play}} Championship]], defended the world title across seven [[1964–68 World Snooker Championships|challenge matches between 1964 and 1968]]. The World Snooker Championship reverted to an annual knockout tournament for the [[1969 World Snooker Championship|1969 edition]], marking the beginning of the championship's "modern era".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nunns |first1=Hector |last2=Hendon |first2=David |title=Full history |url=https://wpbsa.com/about-us/history/full-history/ |website=[[WPBSA]] |access-date=31 March 2024 |archive-date=31 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331092827/https://wpbsa.com/about-us/history/full-history/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Wright |first=Joe |title=Who has won the most World Snooker Championship titles? Hendry, O'Sullivan, Davis and the players with the most trophies |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/snooker/news/most-world-snooker-championship-titles-hendry-osullivan-davis-trophies/joqsk1qyc3vivgpfptced4rl |website=[[The Sporting News]] |date=30 April 2023 |access-date=31 March 2024 |archive-date=14 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114220848/https://www.sportingnews.com/us/snooker/news/most-world-snooker-championship-titles-hendry-osullivan-davis-trophies/joqsk1qyc3vivgpfptced4rl |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[1977 World Snooker Championship|1977 edition]] was the first staged at the [[Crucible Theatre]] in [[Sheffield]], where it has remained since.<ref name="WST_Tournament">{{cite web |title=Halo World Championship |url=https://www.wst.tv/worldchampionship |website=[[World Snooker Tour]] |access-date=10 April 2024 |archive-date=10 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240410053119/https://www.wst.tv/cazooworldchampionship/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Welcome_to_Sheffield">{{cite web |title=World Snooker Championship in Sheffield |url=https://www.welcometosheffield.co.uk/visit/headline-events/world-snooker-championship/ |website=[[Sheffield City Council]] |access-date=31 March 2024 |archive-date=25 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225012256/https://www.welcometosheffield.co.uk/visit/headline-events/world-snooker-championship/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The most successful players in the modern era was [[Stephen Hendry]], having won the title seven times.<ref>{{cite news |title=World Snooker Championship 2022: Ronnie O'Sullivan plays down record-equalling seventh title |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/61301395 |last=Sutcliffe |first=Steve |work=[[BBC Sport]] |date=3 May 2022 |access-date=29 March 2024 |archive-date=22 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022211824/https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/61301395 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="World Snooker-2021">{{Cite web |title=Betfred World Championship |work=World Snooker |access-date=27 March 2022 |url=https://wst.tv/tournaments/betfred-world-championship/ |archive-date=14 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514143520/https://wst.tv/tournaments/betfred-world-championship/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> Hendry was also the tournament's youngest winner, having captured his first title at the [[1990 World Snooker Championship|1990 event]], aged {{age in years and days|1969-01-13|1990-04-29|sep=and}}.<ref>{{cite news |last=Millington |first=Sarah |title=Looking back to 1990: when Stephen Hendry became a snooker champion |url=https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/24091190.looking-back-1990-stephen-hendry-became-snooker-champion/ |work=[[News and Star]] |date=2 February 2024 |access-date=31 March 2024 |archive-date=31 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331125625/https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/24091190.looking-back-1990-stephen-hendry-became-snooker-champion/ |url-status=live |language=en}}</ref> [[Ray Reardon]] became the oldest winner when he secured his sixth title at the [[1978 World Snooker Championship|1978 event]], aged {{age in years and days|1932-10-08|1978-04-29|sep=and}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Snooker World Records |url=https://www.snooker.org/plr/records.shtml |website=snooker.org |access-date=6 May 2025}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

The 2004 event marked the 28th consecutive year that the tournament was held at the Crucible, and the 36th successive year that the World Championship was contested through the modern knockout format.<ref name="World Snooker list">{{cite web |title=History of the World Snooker Championship |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/BetfredcomWorldChampionshipTournamentsArticle/0,,13165~2306123,00.html |website=World Snooker |access-date=30 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110315202302/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/BetfredcomWorldChampionshipTournamentsArticle/0%2C%2C13165~2306123%2C00.html |archive-date=15 March 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="snookerscene">{{cite web |title=Embassy World Championship |url=http://www.snookerscene.co.uk/page.php?id=36 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124071753/http://www.snookerscene.co.uk/page.php?id=36 |archive-date=24 January 2013 |publisher=Snooker Scene |access-date=9 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=John Higgins eyes more crucible titles |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/5276218/John-Higgins-eyes-more-Crucible-titles.html |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=5 May 2009 |access-date=13 April 2020 |url-access=registration |quote="the modern era, which began in 1969 when the World Championship became a knockout event." |archive-date=30 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100430020307/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/5276218/John-Higgins-eyes-more-Crucible-titles.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Welsh player [[Mark Williams (snooker player)|Mark Williams]] won his second world title at the [[2003 World Snooker Championship|previous year's championship]], defeating Irish player [[Ken Doherty]] 18{{nbnd}}16 in the final.<ref>{{cite web |title=Embassy World Championship (2003) |url=https://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1566 |website=snooker.org |access-date=7 May 2025 |archive-date=4 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104232712/https://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1566 |url-status=live }}</ref> Organised by the [[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association]], the 2004 tournament was sponsored by cigarette company [[Embassy (cigarette)|Embassy]], which sponsored the event from 1976 to 2005.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sportcal.com/analyst-comment/the-world-snooker-championships-continued-move-away-from-vice-title-sponsorship/#:~:text=For%2030%20years%20between%201976,rights%20between%201973%20and%201975 | title=The World Snooker Championship's continued move away from vice title sponsorship | date=24 April 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/jan/19/snooker.gdnsport31|title=Snooker finds sponsor with deep pockets|first=Mike|last=Anstead|work=The Guardian |date=19 January 2006|access-date=8 May 2025|archive-date=25 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325161804/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/jan/19/snooker.gdnsport31|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Format ===
The 2004 World Snooker Championship took place from 17 April to 3 May 2004, as the last of eight ranking events in the [[2003–04 snooker season]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The 2003/2004 Season |url=https://www.snooker.org/trn/0304/ |website=snooker.org |access-date=7 May 2025}}</ref> The event featured a 32-player main draw, preceded by a qualifying tournament that was held at [[Pontins]] in [[Prestatyn]], Wales, between 10 and 20 February 2004. The qualifiers were played over six rounds, higher-ranked players being [[seed (sports)|seed]]ed and given [[bye (sports)|bye]]s to the later rounds.<ref name="Global Snooker Centre S3Q"/> All of the rounds were played as the best of 19 {{cuegloss|frame|frames}}.<ref name="Global Snooker Centre S3Q"/>

The top 16 players in the [[Snooker world rankings 2003/2004|snooker world rankings]] automatically qualified for the main draw as seeded players. Defending champion Williams was automatically seeded first overall. The remaining 15 seeds were allocated based on the world rankings. The main stage of the event was contested as a [[single-elimination tournament]]. Matches in the first round of the main draw were played as the best of 19 frames, second-round matches and quarter-finals played as the best of 25 frames, and the semi-finals as the best of 33 frames.<ref name="BBCdraw"/> The final was played over two days as a best-of-35-frames match.<ref name="BBCdraw"/> Reaching the first round of the tournament's main stage were seventeen players from England, six from Scotland, five from Wales, and one each from Ireland, Thailand, Australia and Northern Ireland.<ref name="BBCdraw"/>

=== Prize fund ===
The winner of the event received £250,000 from a total fund of £1,378,920.<ref name="Global Snooker"/> The breakdown of prize money is shown below:<ref name="Global Snooker">{{cite web |title=World Snooker Championship 2004 |url=http://www.global-snooker.com/professional-archive-world-snooker-championship-2004.asp |publisher=Global Snooker |access-date=24 March 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310184218/http://www.global-snooker.com/professional-archive-world-snooker-championship-2004.asp |archive-date=10 March 2011 }}</ref><ref name="Global Snooker Centre L32">{{cite web |title=2004 Embassy World Championship |url=http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/Results/2003-4/03_4worldcrucible.htm |publisher=Global Snooker Centre |access-date=12 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225041008/http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/Results/2003-4/03_4worldcrucible.htm |archive-date=25 December 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Downer |first=Chris |title=Crucible Almanac |year=2012 |pages=130}}</ref>
{{Col-begin|width=70%}}
{{Col-break|width=50%}}
*Winner: £250,000
*Runner-up: £125,000
*Semi-final: £63,200
*Quarter-final: £31,600
*Last 16: £17,600
*Last 32: £12,000
*Last 48: £9,200
*Last 64: £5,720
{{Col-break|width=50%}}
*Last 80: £4,560
*Last 96: £3,440
*Last 128: £1,000
*Stage one highest {{cuegloss|break}}: £2,000
*Stage two highest break: £17,600
*Stage one [[maximum break]]: £5,000
*Stage two maximum break: £147,000
*Total: £1,378,920
{{Col-end}}

==Summary==
===First round===
[[File:Mark Williams at Snooker German Masters (Martin Rulsch) 2014-01-30 01.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Mark Williams playing a shot|Defending champion [[Mark Williams (snooker player)|Mark Williams]] (pictured in 2014) won over [[Dominic Dale]] the day after he became father for the first time.]]

The first round was played between 17 and 22 April as the best of 19 frames.<ref name="BBCdraw"/> The defending champion, [[Mark Williams (snooker player)|Mark Williams]], played [[Dominic Dale]]. Williams, who became a father the day before the match was played, earned a 6{{nbnd}}3 lead in the first {{cuegloss|session}}, with five {{cuegloss|break|breaks}} over 50, including a {{cuegloss|century break}} of 105 in the second frame.<ref name="BBCWilliamsDale">{{cite news |last=Harlow |first=Phil |title=Williams battles through |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3634919.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=17 April 2004 |archive-date=6 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306121221/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3634919.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Dale responded and won three frames to draw level at 7{{nbnd}}7.<ref name="BBCWilliamsDale"/> Williams, however, clinched victory with the last three frames, which included a {{cuegloss|half-century}}.<ref name="BBCWilliamsDale"/> "It's not the best preparation you can have, but if you're happy off the table you can carry that over," Williams commented after the match with regard to his fatherhood.<ref name="BBCWilliamsDale"/>

Six seeded players lost in the first round—[[Stephen Lee (snooker player)|Stephen Lee]], [[Quinten Hann]], [[Steve Davis]], [[Peter Ebdon]], [[Ken Doherty]] and [[Jimmy White]]. Although Lee fell 3{{nbnd}}6 behind [[Lee Walker]], he managed to win three of the first four frames of the evening session to reduce the gap to a single frame.<ref name="BBCLeeWalker">{{cite news |last=Harlow |first=Phil |title=Walker ends Lee hopes |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3642863.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=18 January 2024 |date=20 April 2004 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305221621/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3642863.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Walker, nonetheless, clinched the twelfth frame, which lasted 53 minutes, and ended up winning the match 10{{nbnd}}7.<ref name="BBCLeeWalker"/> Lee claimed afterwards that the defeat was the summary of "a terrible season" for him.<ref name="BBCLeeWalker"/> [[Andy Hicks]] advanced into the second round by beating Hann 10{{nbnd}}4.<ref name="BBCHannHicks">{{cite news |last=Shea |first=Julian |title=Bad-tempered Hann exits |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3637413.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=18 April 2004 |archive-date=10 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080110061735/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/3637413.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Having already been warned for his language by referee [[Lawrie Annandale]] in the eleventh frame, he confronted Hicks once the match had ended and he admitted to having told him "You're short, bald and always will be, and can have me outside whenever you want".<ref name="BBCHannHicks"/> Hicks pointed out to him that he was likely to drop out of the top 16 as a result of the loss.<ref name="BBCHannHicks"/><ref>{{cite web |last=Tracey |first=Ted |title=SNOOKER: Tempers flare as things get out of Hann. |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-115506911.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309033410/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-115506911.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 March 2016 |publisher=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]] on [[HighBeam Research]] |access-date=11 May 2012}}</ref> The six-time champion Davis lost to [[Anthony Hamilton (snooker player)|Anthony Hamilton]] 7{{nbnd}}10.<ref name="BBCDavisHamilton">{{cite news |last=Shea |first=Julian |title=Hamilton ousts Davis |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3651595.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=22 April 2004 |archive-date=17 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217142931/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3651595.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Doherty, [[1997 World Snooker Championship|1997]] winner, was beaten by two-time semi-finalist [[Joe Swail]] 6{{nbnd}}10.<ref name="BBCDohertySwail">{{cite news |last=Shea |first=Julian |title=Swail overpowers Doherty |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3635555.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=18 April 2004 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305224320/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3635555.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Doherty's defeat was the first time he had lost in round one since the [[1995 World Snooker Championship|1995 event]],<ref name="BBCDohertySwail"/> and had since been champion once, finalist twice and three times a quarter-finalist.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ken Doherty|url=https://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?season=-1&player=170|website=snooker.org|access-date=12 May 2025}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Ebdon played [[Ian McCulloch (snooker player)|Ian McCulloch]],<ref name="BBCEbdonMcCulloch">{{cite news |last=Shea |first=Julian |title=McCulloch stuns Ebdon |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3639719.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=19 April 2004 |archive-date=17 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217143029/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3639719.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> who was making his third-ever appearance at the Crucible, having previously qualified for the [[1999 World Snooker Championship|1999]] and [[2003 World Snooker Championship|2003]] events.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ian McCulloch|url=https://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?season=-1&player=103|website=snooker.org|access-date=12 May 2025}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The first session, which featured a 48-minutes-long frame, was shared at 4{{nbnd}}4, and the balance was not broken after eight more frames, with a score of 8{{nbnd}}8.<ref name="BBCEbdonMcCulloch"/> McCulloch, whose {{cuegloss|safety}} and {{cuegloss|matchplay}} were praised by his rival, went on to win two frames and sealed the first Crucible victory in his career.<ref name="BBCEbdonMcCulloch"/> [[Barry Pinches]] qualified for the main stage for the first time since [[1991 World Snooker Championship|1991]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Tired White falls at the first as Pinches holds his nerve |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/apr/21/snooker.worldsnookerchampionship2004|work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=22 January 2024|date=21 April 2004|first=Clive|last=Everton}}</ref> He faced White, recent [[2004 European Open (snooker)|European Open]] runner-up and [[2004 Players Championship (snooker)|Players Championship]] winner, in a match which overran and had to be completed after other matches.<ref name="BBCWhitePinches">{{cite news |last=Shea |first=Julian |title=White falls to Pinches |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3640685.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=20 April 2004 |archive-date=11 June 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040611032152/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3640685.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> A 10{{nbnd}}8 victory meant that Pinches would reach the top 16 in the world rankings for the first time in his career.<ref name="BBCWhitePinches"/>

[[File:Ryan Day at Snooker German Masters (Martin Rulsch) 2014-01-30 02.jpg|thumb|alt=Ryan Day playing a shot|[[Ryan Day (snooker player)|Ryan Day]] (pictured in 2014) was a debutant at the Crucible and lost to [[John Higgins]] in the {{cuegloss|deciding frame}} having led 9{{nbnd}}7.]]

[[Ryan Day (snooker player)|Ryan Day]] and [[Stephen Maguire]] were the only debutants at the Crucible and both lost in the opening round. Day made three century breaks in his match, the first to do so on his debut at the World Championship.<ref>{{cite news |title=Higgins in the pink after dramatic victory |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/apr/20/snooker.worldsnookerchampionship2004|work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=22 January 2024|date=20 April 2004|first=Clive|last=Everton}}</ref> He put himself 9{{nbnd}}7 ahead with breaks of 111, 68, 54, 128, 60, 112, 71 and 57 over [[1998 World Snooker Championship|1998]] champion [[John Higgins]]. Higgins, however, forced a {{cuegloss|deciding frame|decider}} with a 68 and took the match with a result of 68{{nbnd}}50 in the last frame.<ref name="BBCHigginsDay">{{cite news |last=Harlow |first=Phil |title=Higgins wins thriller |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3637573.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=19 April 2004 |archive-date=5 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605160025/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3637573.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Maguire, who was 23 and the youngest of the 32 players who made it to this stage of the tournament, reached the main draw after a season in which he had won his first ranking tournament defeating White in the [[2004 European Open (snooker)|European Open]] final.<ref name="BBCOSullivanMaguire">{{cite news |last=Shea |first=Julian |title=O'Sullivan downs Maguire |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3643805.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=21 April 2004 |archive-date=16 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116075900/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3643805.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Facing [[2001 World Snooker Championship|2001]] champion [[Ronnie O'Sullivan]] in the first round, Maguire made a 121 {{cuegloss|clearance}} to go 3{{nbnd}}2 ahead and had a chance to double the lead in the next frame, but he would end up losing 6{{nbnd}}10 in a match that featured a combined three centuries between both players.<ref name="BBCOSullivanMaguire"/> O'Sullivan made gestures using "middle and index fingers" and "rubbing motions" that "could have been interpreted as offensive" according to snooker commentator and historian [[Clive Everton]].<ref name="BBCOSullivanMaguire"/> O'Sullivan also conceded a frame while he could still mathematically win, something "widely regarded as inappropriate".<ref name="sublimeridiculous">{{cite news |title=O'Sullivan goes from sublime to ridiculous |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/apr/24/snooker.worldsnookerchampionship2004|work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=22 January 2024|date=24 April 2004|first=Clive|last=Everton}}</ref> [[Chris Small]] was 1{{nbnd}}7 down to fellow Scotsman [[Alan McManus]] when he was forced to retire from the match due to pain from a degenerative spinal disease,<ref name="McManus vs. Small">{{cite news |last=Shea |first=Julian |title=Small pulls out |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3635037.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=17 April 2004 |archive-date=6 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306100102/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3635037.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> a condition which would later force him to retire from the game permanently.<ref>{{cite news |title=Small forced to give up snooker |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4274298.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=11 May 2012 |date=23 September 2005 |archive-date=16 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016053150/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4274298.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> McManus said after the match that he was "dumbstruck" by his rival pulling out.<ref name="McManus vs. Small" /> [[Ali Carter]], taking part in his second consecutive first-round match of the World Championship after having made his debut the previous season, faced [[David Gray (snooker player)|David Gray]], who overcame a "nightmare start" and made two consecutive half-centuries in the last two frames to secure victory with a result of 10{{nbnd}}7.<ref name="BBCGrayCarter">{{cite news |last=Harlow |first=Phil |title=Gray ousts Carter |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3648233.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=21 April 2004 |archive-date=17 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217142937/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3648233.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Joe Perry (snooker player)|Joe Perry]] and [[Robert Milkins]], who were playing in the main stage for the fourth and third time respectively, met in the opening round. Although Perry came out 6{{nbnd}}3 on top at the end of the first session, Milkins reduced the deficit to two frames.<ref name="BBCPerryMilkins">{{cite news |last=Harlow |first=Phil |title=Perry overcomes Milkins |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3639581.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=19 April 2004 |archive-date=17 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217142406/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3639581.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Perry then won three frames to put himself one away from victory at 9{{nbnd}}4.<ref name="BBCPerryMilkins"/> Milkins, however, replied with breaks of up to 51 and 65, and Perry said he was beginning to "worry" when it got to 9{{nbnd}}7, but managed to close out the match.<ref name="BBCPerryMilkins"/> In a tactical match, [[Matthew Stevens]], finalist in [[2000 World Snooker Championship|2000]], overcame a two-frame deficit against [[James Wattana]] and won the last five frames to advance into the second round.<ref name="BBCStevensWattana">{{cite news |last=Harlow |first=Phil |title=Stevens battles through |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3637871.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=18 April 2004 |archive-date=6 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306081144/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3637871.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Paul Hunter]], who had lost the [[2004 Players Championship (snooker)|Players Championship]] final against White two weeks earlier, took a 5{{nbnd}}4 lead against [[1991 World Snooker Championship|1991]] world champion [[John Parrott]], who could have levelled the match at 7{{nbnd}}7, but missed a {{cuegloss|pot}}.<ref name="BBCHunterParrott">{{cite news |last=Harlow |first=Phil |title=Hunter polishes off Parrott |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3647853.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=22 April 2004 |archive-date=17 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217142834/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3647853.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Hunter went on to win 10{{nbnd}}7.<ref name="BBCHunterParrott"/> Seven-time champion [[Stephen Hendry]] raced into an 8{{nbnd}}1 lead against [[Stuart Pettman]] in the first session, and wrapped up the match with two more frames once the match was resumed, with a 117 century.<ref name="BBCHendryPettman">{{cite news |last=Shea |first=Julian |title=Hendry races to victory |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3647097.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=21 April 2004 |archive-date=6 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306132445/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3647097.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> In a match that only featured six breaks over fifty, [[Graeme Dott]] defeated [[Mark King (snooker player)|Mark King]] in the decider 10{{nbnd}}9.<ref name="BBCDottKing">{{cite news |last=Harlow |first=Phil |title=Dott edges out King |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3641107.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=20 April 2004 |archive-date=17 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217142929/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3641107.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> "It was actually getting embarrassing how bad the game was," he said afterwards.<ref name="BBCDottKing"/>

===Second round===
[[File:Barry Pinches PHC 2016-1.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Barry Pinches|[[Barry Pinches]] (pictured in 2016), who had never played in the second round before, led seven-time champion [[Stephen Hendry]] 11{{nbnd}}9, but ended up losing 12{{nbnd}}13.]]

The second round of the event was played as the best of 25 frames, held over three sessions, between 22 and 26 April.<ref name="BBCdraw"/> Pinches, playing in this stage of the tournament for the first time, led Hendry 11{{nbnd}}9 before losing 12{{nbnd}}13.<ref name="BBCPinchesHendry">{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Clive |title=Hendry wins thriller |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3656215.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=26 April 2004 |archive-date=6 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306173328/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3656215.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Hendry regarded the match as one of the toughest "battles" he had had to endure at the Crucible.<ref name="BBCPinchesHendry"/> Hunter and Stevens met in the last 16 for the second consecutive year.<ref name="BBCStevensHunter">{{cite news |last=Harlow |first=Phil |title=Stevens shoots down Hunter |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3653255.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=24 April 2004 |archive-date=10 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110155709/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3653255.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Stevens had been defeated 6{{nbnd}}13 the previous year,<ref name="BBCStevensHunter"/> and found himself two frames behind at 10{{nbnd}}12 before Hunter missed a {{cuegloss|pink ball}} in the 23rd frame which would have given him the match.<ref name="BBCStevensHunter"/> Stevens took all three remaining frames to win the match 13{{nbnd}}12.<ref name="BBCStevensHunter"/> Perry made a break of 145 in his match against defending champion Williams, which would remain as the highest break of the tournament.<ref name="BBCWilliamsPerry">{{cite news |last=Harlow |first=Phil |title=Williams crashes out |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3651551.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=24 April 2004 |archive-date=17 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217152731/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3651551.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Having manufactured a 10{{nbnd}}6 lead, Perry lost five frames on the trot and let Williams in front for the first time in the match at 10{{nbnd}}11.<ref name="BBCWilliamsPerry"/> Perry put together breaks of 55, 53 and 82 to win 13{{nbnd}}11 and advance into the quarter-finals of the World Championship for the first time in his career.<ref name="BBCWilliamsPerry"/> Gray took victory over Walker with a result of 13{{nbnd}}5 and also made his first appearance in the quarter-finals.<ref name="BBCWalkerGray">{{cite news |last=Warren |first=Dan |title=Gray into last eight |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3656681.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=26 April 2004 |archive-date=17 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217152522/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3656681.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> "It was not my greatest performance," Gray highlighted despite the result and urged himself to score more heavily the next day.<ref name="BBCWalkerGray"/>

Dott got off to a good start in his match against Higgins and established a 5{{nbnd}}1 advantage that got reduced to 5{{nbnd}}3 by the end of the first session.<ref name="BBCDottHiggins">{{cite news |last=Warren |first=Dan |title=Dott ends Higgins fightback |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3658059.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=26 April 2004 |archive-date=17 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217144431/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3658059.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Going into the last session, Dott led 12{{nbnd}}7 before Higgins made breaks of 89 and 130 and won another one to reduce the deficit to only a couple of frames.<ref name="BBCDottHiggins"/> Dott won the match with a 62 break, and said he had "never seen John [Higgins] play as badly as that".<ref name="BBCDottHiggins"/> O'Sullivan faced [[1995 World Snooker Championship|1995 semi-finalist]] Hicks,<ref name="BBCOSullivanHicks">{{cite news |last=Shea |first=Julian |title=O'Sullivan overcomes Hicks |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3654597.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=23 April 2004 |archive-date=6 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306110621/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3654597.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> who had not managed to get past the first round of the event since that year. Scores were level going into the final session, but O'Sullivan won a match in which he compiled five century breaks.<ref name="BBCOSullivanHicks"/> Both players conceded frames while the other was still at the table.<ref name="sublimeridiculous"/> Hamilton shared the first two sessions with Swail tied at 8{{nbnd}}8.<ref name="BBCHamiltonSwail">{{cite news |last=Shea |first=Julian |title=Hamilton stuns Swail |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3654225.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=24 April 2004 |archive-date=17 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217153229/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3654225.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Swail had until that point scored half-centuries for every frame that had gone his way, but could not hold Hamilton, who sealed victory by 13{{nbnd}}11 with breaks of 86 and 61.<ref name="BBCHamiltonSwail"/> McManus won the first frame against McCulloch, who then took seven in a row with breaks of 106, 64, 76, 62, 113, 82 and 84, and moved within two of victory ahead of the evening session.<ref name="BBCMcCullochMcManus">{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Clive |title=McCulloch seals victory |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3660233.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=26 April 2004 |archive-date=17 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217152844/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3660233.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> They played only three frames in the third session as McCulloch progressed to the quarter-finals for the first time in his career.<ref name="BBCMcCullochMcManus"/>

===Quarter-finals===
[[File:Graeme Dott at Snooker German Masters (Martin Rulsch) 2014-01-29 01.jpg|thumb|alt=Graeme Dott playing a shot|[[Graeme Dott]] (pictured in 2014) reached the semi-finals for the first time, defeating [[David Gray (snooker player)|David Gray]] 13{{nbnd}}7.]]

The quarter-finals were played as the best of 25 frames held over three sessions, on 27 and 28 April.<ref name="BBCdraw"/> In his match against O'Sullivan, Hamilton lost seven of the first eight frames and eventually lost the match 3{{nbnd}}13.<ref name="BBCOSullivanHamilton">{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Clive |title=O'Sullivan crushes Hamilton |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3663651.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=27 April 2004 |archive-date=17 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217143946/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3663651.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> O'Sullivan compiled four centuries of 109, 106, 131 and 121 in the match.<ref name="BBCOSullivanHamilton"/> The performance was regarded by snooker reporter [[Clive Everton]] writing for ''[[The Guardian]]'' as a "performance of stunning virtuosity".<ref>{{cite news |title=O'Sullivan hammers Hamilton to reach last four|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/apr/28/snooker.worldsnookerchampionship2004|work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=22 January 2024|date=28 April 2004|first=Clive|last=Everton}}</ref> Hendry defeated McCulloch also 13{{nbnd}}3 with a {{cuegloss|session to spare}}.<ref name="GuardianMcCullochHendry">{{cite news |title=Hendry hurries to date with O'Sullivan |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/apr/29/snooker.worldsnookerchampionship2004|work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=22 January 2024|date=29 April 2004|first=Clive|last=Everton}}</ref> In setting up a semi-final duel with O'Sullivan, he made two centuries and nine half-centuries.<ref name="GuardianMcCullochHendry"/>

Perry, contesting his first ever quarter-final, was six frames behind Stevens at the beginning of the third session at 5{{nbnd}}11, but he won five frames to trail 10{{nbnd}}12.<ref name="BBCPerryStevens">{{cite news |last=Warren |first=Dan |title=Stevens makes semis |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3663567.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=28 April 2004 |archive-date=17 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217143652/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3663567.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> He stated, however, he was "mentally tired" after his second-round match against Williams and that he had lost the match "at the start", eventually losing 10{{nbnd}}13.<ref name="BBCPerryStevens"/> "It's difficult when you have a big lead like that and then someone fights back, because it really puts the pressure on you," pointed out Stevens.<ref name="BBCPerryStevens"/> Dott had never reached this stage of the tournament before either, and displayed what he thought was "a rubbish game", but defeated Gray 13{{nbnd}}7, closing out the match with a break of 62.<ref name="BBCGrayDott">{{cite news |last=Warren |first=Dan |title=Dott eases past Gray |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3664757.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=28 April 2004 |archive-date=17 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217142941/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3664757.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> "You watch the Crucible when it gets to one table as a kid, and wonder what it would be like to play there," he said afterwards.<ref name="BBCGrayDott"/>

===Semi-finals===
[[File:Stephen Hendry PHC 2011.png|thumb|left|alt=Stephen Hendry playing a shot|[[Stephen Hendry]] (pictured in 2011) suffered a 4{{nbnd}}17 defeat against [[Ronnie O'Sullivan]], the biggest in history for a World Championship semi-final match.]]

The semi-finals were played as the best of 33 frames, held over four sessions, between 29 April and 1 May.<ref name="BBCdraw"/> Hendry and O'Sullivan were playing in the semi-finals stage for the second time, with Hendry winning 17{{nbnd}}12 in 1999.<ref>{{cite web |title=1999 Embassy World Championship Draw |url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/9899/wc99_draw.shtml |publisher=Snooker.org |access-date=28 October 2010}}</ref> Several breaks over 80 and a 117 gave O'Sullivan a clear advantage over Hendry in the two first sessions, where he led 6{{nbnd}}2 and 13{{nbnd}}3 ahead, respectively.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/apr/30/snooker1|title=Dott crosses half-way line in the lead|first=Press|last=Association|work=The Guardian |date=30 April 2004}}</ref><ref name="BBCOSullivanHendry">{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Clive |last2=Warren |first2=Dan |title=O'Sullivan races into final |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3676157.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=1 May 2004 |archive-date=13 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713152538/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3676157.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> The match ended 17{{nbnd}}4 and with a session to spare, thanks to breaks of 93 and 79 by O'Sullivan, whose victory against Hendry was the biggest ever for a semi-final of the tournament. The previous largest was Hendry's 16{{nbnd}}4 win over [[Terry Griffiths]] in [[1992 World Snooker Championship|1992]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Yates |first=Phil |title=Unstoppable O'Sullivan |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/may/02/snooker.worldsnookerchampionship2004 |work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=11 May 2012 |location=London |date=2 May 2004}}</ref>

In the other semi-final, Dott faced Stevens. Stevens previously reached this stage of the tournament on four occasions, whilst it was Dott's first time. Dott was also required to reach the final to retain his place in the top 16 in the world rankings.<ref name="auto"/> The pair shared the first session 4{{nbnd}}4, but Dott gained a 9{{nbnd}}7 lead after the second. Dott displayed good safety throughout the rest of the match to lead 15{{nbnd}}12. Although Stevens won frames 28, 29 and 30 to level the match at 15{{nbnd}}15, Dott won the next two, including one on the final {{cuegloss|pink ball}}, to reach the final.<ref name="BBCStevensDott">{{cite news |last1=Warren |first1=Dan |last2=Jones |first2=Clive |title=Dott into final after epic |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3671395.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=1 May 2004 |archive-date=28 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228230606/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3671395.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Final===
[[File:Ronnie O’Sullivan and Michaela Tabb at German Masters Snooker Final (DerHexer) 2012-02-05 06 cropped.jpg|thumb|alt=Ronnie O'Sullivan chalking his cue|[[Ronnie O'Sullivan]] (pictured in 2012) won his second world championship, defeating Dott 18{{nbnd}}8 in the final.]]

The final of the event was played on 2 and 3 May as a best-of-35-frames match, held over four sessions, between Dott and O'Sullivan.<ref name="BBCdraw"/> Referee [[Paul Collier (snooker referee)|Paul Collier]] took charge of his first World Championship final.<ref>{{cite web |title=Paul Collier |url=https://www.wst.tv/referees/paulcollier/ |website=[[World Snooker Tour]] |access-date=7 May 2025}}</ref> O'Sullivan (seeded third) was contesting his second World Championship final, having won his previous one in [[2001 World Snooker Championship|2001]] against Higgins, while it was the first one for Dott (seeded thirteenth).<ref>{{cite web|title=Hall of Fame - World|url=https://www.snooker.org/trn/hof.asp?pEvent=World|website=snooker.org|access-date=12 May 2025}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Dott had till that point reached two ranking finals—those of the [[1999 Scottish Open (snooker)|1999 Scottish Open]] and the [[2001 British Open]]—but had come short to both Hendry and Higgins.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wst.tv/players/e0f5c435-470e-4ac3-8406-5ccd39fd475c/|title=Home of World Snooker|first=World Snooker|last=Tour|website=World Snooker Tour|access-date=8 May 2025|archive-date=21 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250221120713/https://www.wst.tv/players/e0f5c435-470e-4ac3-8406-5ccd39fd475c|url-status=live}}</ref> Dott made a strong start to the match and compiled breaks of 71, 77, 64 and 60 to move 5–0 clear, but O'Sullivan responded with a 100-point century break and then won two more to put himself only two behind at the end of the first session.<ref name="WinsCrown"/> In the second session, played in the evening, O'Sullivan moved from two frames down to two ahead by the conclusion, and in the third session the following afternoon he won all frames save one—in which Dott compiled a 106 century. O'Sullivan only needed two frames and twenty minutes in the evening to seal his second world title.<ref name="WinsCrown"/>

O'Sullivan won the match 18{{nbnd}}8, the biggest margin in a World final since Hendry's 18{{nbnd}}5 victory over White in [[1993 World Snooker Championship|1993]]<ref name="WinsCrown">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3681217.stm|title=O'Sullivan wins World crown|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|last1=Jones|first1=Clive|last2=Warren|first2=Dan|date=3 May 2004|archive-date=30 October 2014|access-date=24 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030182813/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3681217.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> and the fourth largest in the history of the tournament, subsequently equalled by O'Sullivan himself against Carter in [[2008 World Snooker Championship|2008]] and [[Kyren Wilson]] in [[2020 World Snooker Championship|2020]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Turner |first=Chris |title=World Professional Championship |url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/world.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130416080933/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/world.html |archive-date=16 April 2013 |work=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk |publisher=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive |access-date=24 February 2011}}</ref> Afterwards, Dott conceded that the newly crowned champion could be regarded as "the greatest of all time" and expressed elation over having avoided losing the final with a session to spare.<ref name="OSullivangreatest">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3681493.stm|title=O'Sullivan 'may be greatest'|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|last=Warren|first=Dan|date=4 May 2004|archive-date=31 May 2006|access-date=19 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060531203428/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3681493.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> "It could have been worse," he stated in the post-match interview.<ref name="OSullivangreatest"/> O'Sullivan said he had felt at all times throughout the seventeen days that he would go on to win the tournament and thanked six-time world champion [[Ray Reardon]] for his advice, for he had recently begun to work alongside him on improving his overall game.<ref name="moretocome">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3681523.stm|title='More to come' from O'Sullivan|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|last=Jones|first=Clive|date=3 May 2004|archive-date=19 December 2024|access-date=19 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219000746/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3681523.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> He dedicated the victory to his father, who was at prison at the time, and said there was "more to come".<ref name="moretocome"/>

==Main draw==
The draw for the main tournament is shown below. The numbers in parentheses after the players' names denote the [[Seeding (sports)|seedings]] for the 16 seeded players (1{{nbnd}}16). The match winners are shown in bold.<ref name="Global Snooker"/><ref name="BBCdraw">{{cite news |title=2004 World Snooker draw |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3551859.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=26 April 2004 |archive-date=13 April 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060413222508/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3551859.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Downer |first=Chris |title=Crucible Almanac |year=2012 |pages=58–59}}</ref>

{{32TeamBracket-Info|paramstyle=numbered
| RD1 = First round<br />Best of 19 frames
| RD2 = Second round<br />Best of 25 frames
| RD3 = Quarter-finals<br />Best of 25 frames
| RD4 = Semi-finals<br />Best of 33 frames
| RD5 = Final<br />Best of 35 frames
<!--Date-Place/Player 1/Score 1/Player 2/Score 2 -->
<!-- LAST 32 -->
<!--Match1  -->
|17 April<ref name="BBCWilliamsDale"/> |{{flagicon|Wales}} '''[[Mark Williams (snooker player)|Mark Williams]] (1)'''|'''10'''|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Dominic Dale]]|7
<!--Match2  -->
|18 & 19 April<ref name="BBCPerryMilkins"/> |{{flagicon|England}} '''[[Joe Perry (snooker player)|Joe Perry]] (16)'''|'''10'''|{{flagicon|England}} [[Robert Milkins]]|7
<!--Match3  -->
|17 & 18 April<ref name="BBCStevensWattana"/> |{{flagicon|Wales}} '''[[Matthew Stevens]] (9)'''|'''10'''|{{flagicon|Thailand}} [[James Wattana]]|7
<!--Match4  -->
|21 & 22 April<ref name="BBCHunterParrott"/> |{{flagicon|England}} '''[[Paul Hunter]] (8)'''|'''10'''|{{flagicon|England}} [[John Parrott]]|7
<!--Match5  -->
|20 April<ref name="BBCLeeWalker"/> |{{flagicon|England}} [[Stephen Lee (snooker player)|Stephen Lee]] (5)|7|{{flagicon|Wales}} '''[[Lee Walker]]'''|'''10'''
<!--Match6  -->
|21 April<ref name="BBCGrayCarter"/> |{{flagicon|England}} '''[[David Gray (snooker player)|David Gray]] (12)'''|'''10'''|{{flagicon|England}} [[Ali Carter]]|7
<!--Match7  -->
|19 & 20 April<ref name="BBCDottKing"/> |{{flagicon|Scotland}} '''[[Graeme Dott]] (13)'''|'''10'''|{{flagicon|England}} [[Mark King (snooker player)|Mark King]]|9
<!--Match8  -->
|18 & 19 April<ref name="BBCHigginsDay"/> |{{flagicon|Scotland}} '''[[John Higgins]] (4)'''|'''10'''|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Ryan Day (snooker player)|Ryan Day]]|9
<!--Match9  -->
|20 & 21 April<ref name="BBCOSullivanMaguire"/> |{{flagicon|England}} '''[[Ronnie O'Sullivan]] (3)'''|'''10'''|{{flagicon|Scotland}} [[Stephen Maguire]]|6
<!--Match10  -->
|17 & 18 April<ref name="BBCHannHicks"/> |{{flagicon|Australia}} [[Quinten Hann]] (14)|4|{{flagicon|England}} '''[[Andy Hicks]]'''|'''10'''
<!--Match11  -->
|21 & 22 April<ref name="BBCDavisHamilton"/> |{{flagicon|England}} [[Steve Davis]] (11)|7|{{flagicon|England}} '''[[Anthony Hamilton (snooker player)|Anthony Hamilton]]'''|'''10'''
<!--Match12  -->
|17 & 18 April<ref name="BBCDohertySwail"/> |{{flagicon|Ireland}} [[Ken Doherty]] (6)|5|{{flagicon|Northern Ireland}} '''[[Joe Swail]]'''|'''10'''
<!--Match13  -->
|19 April<ref name="BBCEbdonMcCulloch"/> |{{flagicon|England}} [[Peter Ebdon]] (7)|8|{{flagicon|England}} '''[[Ian McCulloch (snooker player)|Ian McCulloch]]'''|'''10'''
<!--Match14  -->
|17 & 18 April<ref name="McManus vs. Small" /> |{{flagicon|Scotland}} '''[[Alan McManus]] (10)'''|'''7'''{{efn|Small retired after the first session with a spinal issue.<ref name="McManus vs. Small"/>}}|{{flagicon|Scotland}} [[Chris Small]]|1
<!--Match15  -->
|19 & 20 April<ref name="BBCWhitePinches"/> |{{flagicon|England}} [[Jimmy White]] (15)|8|{{flagicon|England}} '''[[Barry Pinches]]'''|'''10'''
<!--Match16  -->
|20 & 21 April<ref name="BBCHendryPettman"/> |{{flagicon|Scotland}} '''[[Stephen Hendry]] (2)'''|'''10'''|{{flagicon|England}} [[Stuart Pettman]]|2
<!-- LAST 16 -->
<!--Match1  -->
|22, 23 & 24 April<ref name="BBCWilliamsPerry"/> |{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Mark Williams (snooker player)|Mark Williams]] (1)|11|{{flagicon|England}} '''[[Joe Perry (snooker player)|Joe Perry]] (16)'''|'''13'''
<!--Match2  -->
|23 & 24 April<ref name="BBCStevensHunter"/> |{{flagicon|Wales}} '''[[Matthew Stevens]] (9)'''|'''13'''|{{flagicon|England}} [[Paul Hunter]] (8)|12
<!--Match3  -->
|24, 25 & 26 April<ref name="BBCWalkerGray"/> |{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Lee Walker]]|5|{{flagicon|England}} '''[[David Gray (snooker player)|David Gray]] (12)'''|'''13'''
<!--Match4  -->
|25 & 26 April<ref name="BBCDottHiggins"/> |{{flagicon|Scotland}} '''[[Graeme Dott]] (13)'''|'''13'''|{{flagicon|Scotland}} [[John Higgins]] (4)|10
<!--Match5  -->
|22 & 23 April<ref name="BBCOSullivanHicks"/> |{{flagicon|England}} '''[[Ronnie O'Sullivan]] (3)'''|'''13'''|{{flagicon|England}} [[Andy Hicks]]|11
<!--Match6  -->
|23 & 24 April<ref name="BBCHamiltonSwail"/> |{{flagicon|England}} '''[[Anthony Hamilton (snooker player)|Anthony Hamilton]]'''|'''13'''|{{flagicon|Northern Ireland}} [[Joe Swail]]|11
<!--Match7  -->
|25 & 26 April<ref name="BBCMcCullochMcManus"/> |{{flagicon|England}} '''[[Ian McCulloch (snooker player)|Ian McCulloch]]'''|'''13'''|{{flagicon|Scotland}} [[Alan McManus]] (10)|6
<!--Match8  -->
|24, 25 & 26 April<ref name="BBCPinchesHendry"/> |{{flagicon|England}} [[Barry Pinches]]|12|{{flagicon|Scotland}} '''[[Stephen Hendry]] (2)'''|'''13'''
<!-- QUARTER-FINALS -->
<!--Match1  -->
|27 & 28 April<ref name="BBCPerryStevens"/> |{{flagicon|England}} [[Joe Perry (snooker player)|Joe Perry]] (16)|10|{{flagicon|Wales}} '''[[Matthew Stevens]] (9)'''|'''13'''
<!--Match2  -->
|27 & 28 April<ref name="BBCGrayDott"/>|{{flagicon|England}} [[David Gray (snooker player)|David Gray]] (12)|7|{{flagicon|Scotland}} '''[[Graeme Dott]] (13)'''|'''13'''
<!--Match3  -->
|27 April<ref name="BBCOSullivanHamilton"/> |{{flagicon|England}} '''[[Ronnie O'Sullivan]] (3)'''|'''13'''|{{flagicon|England}} [[Anthony Hamilton (snooker player)|Anthony Hamilton]]|3
<!--Match4  -->
|27 & 28 April<ref name="GuardianMcCullochHendry"/>|{{flagicon|England}} [[Ian McCulloch (snooker player)|Ian McCulloch]]|3|{{flagicon|Scotland}} '''[[Stephen Hendry]] (2)'''|'''13'''
<!-- SEMI-FINALS -->
<!--Match1  -->
|29, 30 April & 1 May<ref name="BBCStevensDott"/>|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Matthew Stevens]] (9)|15|{{flagicon|Scotland}} '''[[Graeme Dott]] (13)'''|'''17'''
<!--Match2  -->
|29, 30 April & 1 May<ref name="BBCOSullivanHendry"/>|{{flagicon|England}} '''[[Ronnie O'Sullivan]] (3)'''|'''17'''|{{flagicon|Scotland}} [[Stephen Hendry]] (2)|4
<!--  FINAL -->
|2 & 3 May|{{flagicon|Scotland}} [[Graeme Dott]] (13)|8|{{flagicon|England}} '''[[Ronnie O'Sullivan]] (3)'''|'''18'''
}}

{{WSC table
|(Best of 35 frames) [[Crucible Theatre]], [[Sheffield]], 2 & 3 May 2004.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Clive |last2=Warren |first2=Dan |title=O'Sullivan wins World crown |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3681217.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=24 March 2011 |date=3 May 2004 |archive-date=30 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030182813/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3681217.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Referee: [[Paul Collier (snooker referee)|Paul Collier]]<ref>{{cite book |last=Downer |first=Chris |title=Crucible Almanac |year=2012 |pages=143}}</ref>
|[[Graeme Dott]] (13)<br/>{{SCO}}
|8–'''18'''
|'''[[Ronnie O'Sullivan]] (3)'''<br/>{{ENG}} 
|'''71'''–34, '''77'''–9, '''108'''–0, '''97'''–0, '''61'''–0, 0–100, 17–63, 0–87, 0–87, '''59'''–0, 47–64, 0–78, '''87'''–0, 48–68, 1–68, 0–69, 1–71, 0–85, '''119'''–2, 30–76, 43–85, 8–69, 44–91, 13–72, 8–92, 16–88
|Century breaks: 2<br/>(Dott 1, O'Sullivan 1)<br/>
Highest break by Dott: 106<br/>
Highest break by O'Sullivan: 100
|71–34, 77–9, 108–0, 97–0, 61–0, 0–'''100''', 17–'''63''', 0–'''87''', 0–'''87''', 59–0, 47–'''64''', 0–'''78''', 87–0, 48–'''68''', 1–'''68''', 0–'''69''', 1–'''71''', 0–'''85''', 119–2, 30–'''76''', 43–'''85''', 8–'''69''', 44–'''91''', 13–'''72''', 8–'''92''', 16–'''88'''
|'''{{flagicon|England}} Ronnie O'Sullivan''' wins the 2004 Embassy [[World Snooker Championship]]
<!--  Frame header info -->
|Best of 19 frames
|Best of 25 frames
|Best of 25 frames
|Best of 33 frames
}}

==Qualifying==
The matches were played at Pontin's, Prestatyn Sands between 10 and 20 February 2004.<ref name="Global Snooker Centre S3Q">{{cite web |title=2004 Embassy World Championship Stage 3 Qualifying |url=http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/Results/2003-4/03_4worldstage3.htm |publisher=Global Snooker Centre |access-date=12 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225141538/http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/Results/2003-4/03_4worldstage3.htm |archive-date=25 December 2008}}</ref>

{{2NTeam-NTeamBracket
| byes=y
| boldwinner=high
| rounds=6
| brackets=16
| team-width=auto
| RD1-teams=4
| RD2-teams=4
| seeds = no
| RD1 = '''Round 1'''<br/>Best of 19 frames
| RD2 = '''Round 2'''<br/>Best of 19 frames
| RD3 = '''Round 3'''<br/>Best of 19 frames
| RD4 = '''Round 4'''<br/>Best of 19 frames
| RD5 = '''Round 5'''<br/>Best of 19 frames
| RD6 = '''Round 6'''<br/>Best of 19 frames

<!--Round 1-->
| RD1-team03={{flagathlete|[[Brian Salmon]]|ENG}}
| RD1-score03=10
| RD1-team04={{flagathlete|[[Chris Melling (pool player)|Chris Melling]]|ENG}}
| RD1-score04=9

| RD1-team07={{flagathlete|[[Ian Preece]]|WAL}}
| RD1-score07=10
| RD1-team08={{flagathlete|[[Justin Astley]]|ENG}}
| RD1-score08=8

| RD1-team09={{flagathlete|[[Mike Hallett]]|ENG}}
| RD1-score09=10
| RD1-team10={{flagathlete|[[James Leadbetter]]|SCO}}
| RD1-score10=6

| RD1-team17={{flagathlete|[[Mehmet Husnu]]|CYP}}
| RD1-score17=10
| RD1-team18={{flagathlete|[[Craig MacGillivray (snooker player)|Craig MacGillivray]]|SCO}}
| RD1-score18=2

| RD1-team21={{flagathlete|[[Joe Delaney (snooker player)|Joe Delaney]]|IRL}}
| RD1-score21=10
| RD1-team22={{flagathlete|[[Rodney Goggins]]|IRL}}
| RD1-score22=6

| RD1-team41={{flagathlete|[[Adrian Rosa]]|ENG}}
| RD1-score41=10
| RD1-team42={{flagathlete|[[Steve James (snooker player)|Steve James]]|ENG}}
| RD1-score42=6

| RD1-team43={{flagathlete|Adam Davies|ENG}}
| RD1-score43=10
| RD1-team44={{flagathlete|David Hall|ENG}}
| RD1-score44=8

<!--Round 2-->
| RD2-team01={{flagathlete|[[Tom Ford (snooker player)|Tom Ford]]|ENG}}
| RD2-score01=10
| RD2-team02={{flagathlete|[[Martin Gould]]|ENG}}
| RD2-score02=8

| RD2-team03={{flagathlete|[[Craig Butler (snooker player)|Craig Butler]]|ENG}}
| RD2-score03=10
| RD2-team04={{flagathlete|[[Brian Salmon]]|ENG}}
| RD2-score04=9

| RD2-team05={{flagathlete|[[Luke Simmonds]]|ENG}}
| RD2-score05=10
| RD2-team06={{flagathlete|[[Matthew Couch]]|ENG}}
| RD2-score06=8

| RD2-team07='''{{flagathlete|[[Ian Preece]]|WAL}}'''
| RD2-score07='''9'''
| RD2-team08={{flagathlete|[[Joe Johnson (snooker player)|Joe Johnson]]|ENG}}
| RD2-score08=0{{efn|Johnson conceded the match at 0{{nbnd}}9.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Joe Johnson on brink of retirement |magazine=Snooker Scene |date=March 2004 |page=9}}</ref>}}

| RD2-team09={{flagathlete|[[Lee Walker]]|WAL}}
| RD2-score09=10
| RD2-team10={{flagathlete|[[Mike Hallett]]|ENG}}
| RD2-score10=6

| RD2-team11={{flagathlete|Gary Thomson|SCO}}
| RD2-score11=10
| RD2-team12={{flagathlete|Luke Fisher|ENG}}
| RD2-score12=2

| RD2-team13={{flagathlete|[[Peter Lines]]|ENG}}
| RD2-score13=10
| RD2-team14={{flagathlete|Ian Brumby|ENG}}
| RD2-score14=4

| RD2-team15={{flagathlete|[[Dave Gilbert (snooker player)|Dave Gilbert]]|ENG}}
| RD2-score15=10
| RD2-team16={{flagathlete|[[Michael Wild]]|ENG}}
| RD2-score16=6

| RD2-team17={{flagathlete|[[Rory McLeod (snooker player)|Rory McLeod]]|ENG}}
| RD2-score17=10
| RD2-team18={{flagathlete|[[Mehmet Husnu]]|CYP}}
| RD2-score18=7

| RD2-team19={{flagathlete|[[Jason Prince]]|NIR}}
| RD2-score19=10
| RD2-team20={{flagathlete|Darryn Walker|ENG}}
| RD2-score20=6

| RD2-team21={{flagathlete|[[Joe Delaney (snooker player)|Joe Delaney]]|IRL}}
| RD2-score21=10
| RD2-team22={{flagathlete|[[Andrew Higginson]]|ENG}}
| RD2-score22=4

| RD2-team23={{flagathlete|[[Neil Robertson]]|AUS}}
| RD2-score23=10
| RD2-team24={{flagathlete|Martin Dziewialtowski|SCO}}
| RD2-score24=8

| RD2-team25={{flagathlete|[[Simon Bedford]]|ENG}}
| RD2-score25=10
| RD2-team26={{flagathlete|Ian Sargeant|WAL}}
| RD2-score26=5

| RD2-team27={{flagathlete|[[Liu Song (snooker player)|Liu Song]]|CHN}}
| RD2-score27=10
| RD2-team28={{flagathlete|Wayne Brown|ENG}}
| RD2-score28=5

| RD2-team29={{flagathlete|[[Leo Fernandez]]|IRL}}
| RD2-score29=10
| RD2-team30={{flagathlete|Paul Sweeny|ENG}}
| RD2-score30=9

| RD2-team31={{flagathlete|Michael Rhodes|ENG}}
| RD2-score31=10
| RD2-team32={{flagathlete|[[Terry Murphy (snooker player)|Terry Murphy]]|NIR}}
| RD2-score32=9

| RD2-team33={{flagathlete|[[Kwan Poomjang]]|THA}}
| RD2-score33=10
| RD2-team34={{flagathlete|[[Philip Williams (snooker player)|Philip Williams]]|WAL}}
| RD2-score34=9

| RD2-team35={{flagathlete|Garry Hardiman|ENG}}
| RD2-score35=10
| RD2-team36={{flagathlete|[[Billy Snaddon]]|SCO}}
| RD2-score36=6

| RD2-team37={{flagathlete|[[Munraj Pal]]|ENG}}
| RD2-score37=10
| RD2-team38={{flagathlete|Andy Neck|ENG}}
| RD2-score38=0

| RD2-team39={{flagathlete|[[Colm Gilcreest]]|IRL}}
| RD2-score39=10
| RD2-team40={{flagathlete|Steven Bennie|SCO}}
| RD2-score40=7

| RD2-team41={{flagathlete|[[Ryan Day (snooker player)|Ryan Day]]|WAL}}
| RD2-score41=10
| RD2-team42={{flagathlete|[[Adrian Rosa]]|ENG}}
| RD2-score42=7

| RD2-team43={{flagathlete|[[Tony Jones (snooker player)|Tony Jones]]|ENG}}
| RD2-score43=10
| RD2-team44={{flagathlete|Adam Davies|ENG}}
| RD2-score44=3

| RD2-team45={{flagathlete|[[Jason Ferguson (snooker player)|Jason Ferguson]]|ENG}}
| RD2-score45=10
| RD2-team46={{flagathlete|Carlo Giagnacovo|ENG}}
| RD2-score46=9

| RD2-team47={{flagathlete|[[Ricky Walden]]|ENG}}
| RD2-score47=10
| RD2-team48={{flagathlete|Stephen Croft|ENG}}
| RD2-score48=0

| RD2-team49={{flagathlete|Joe Meara|NIR}}
| RD2-score49=10
| RD2-team50={{flagathlete|[[Andrew Norman (snooker player)|Andrew Norman]]|ENG}}
| RD2-score50=8

| RD2-team51={{flagathlete|[[Adrian Gunnell]]|ENG}}
| RD2-score51=10
| RD2-team52={{flagathlete|[[Steve Mifsud]]|AUS}}
| RD2-score52=5

| RD2-team53={{flagathlete|[[Ding Junhui]]|CHN}}
| RD2-score53=10
| RD2-team54={{flagathlete|[[Atthasit Mahitthi]]|THA}}
| RD2-score54=6

| RD2-team55={{flagathlete|[[Paul Davies (snooker player)|Paul Davies]]|WAL}}
| RD2-score55=10
| RD2-team56={{flagathlete|[[Alain Robidoux]]|CAN}}
| RD2-score56=4

| RD2-team57={{flagathlete|[[Supoj Saenla]]|THA}}
| RD2-score57=10
| RD2-team58={{flagathlete|[[Bradley Jones (snooker player)|Bradley Jones]]|ENG}}
| RD2-score58=8

| RD2-team59={{flagathlete|[[Paul Wykes]]|ENG}}
| RD2-score59=10
| RD2-team60={{flagathlete|[[Kurt Maflin]]|NOR}}
| RD2-score60=4

| RD2-team61={{flagathlete|[[Stuart Mann]]|ENG}}
| RD2-score61=10
| RD2-team62={{flagathlete|[[Jamie Cope]]|ENG}}
| RD2-score62=8

| RD2-team63={{flagathlete|[[Scott MacKenzie (snooker player)|Scott MacKenzie]]|SCO}}
| RD2-score63=10
| RD2-team64={{flagathlete|Johl Younger|AUS}}
| RD2-score64=3

<!--Round 3-->
| RD3-team01={{flagathlete|[[Tom Ford (snooker player)|Tom Ford]]|ENG}}
| RD3-score01=4
| RD3-team02={{flagathlete|[[Craig Butler (snooker player)|Craig Butler]]|ENG}}
| RD3-score02=10

| RD3-team03={{flagathlete|[[Luke Simmonds]]|ENG}}
| RD3-score03=5
| RD3-team04={{flagathlete|[[Ian Preece]]|WAL}}
| RD3-score04=10

| RD3-team05={{flagathlete|[[Lee Walker]]|WAL}}
| RD3-score05=10
| RD3-team06={{flagathlete|Gary Thomson|SCO}}
| RD3-score06=6

| RD3-team07={{flagathlete|[[Peter Lines]]|ENG}}
| RD3-score07=10
| RD3-team08={{flagathlete|[[Dave Gilbert (snooker player)|Dave Gilbert]]|ENG}}
| RD3-score08=6

| RD3-team09={{flagathlete|[[Rory McLeod (snooker player)|Rory McLeod]]|ENG}}
| RD3-score09=10
| RD3-team10={{flagathlete|[[Jason Prince]]|ENG}}
| RD3-score10=3

| RD3-team11={{flagathlete|[[Joe Delaney (snooker player)|Joe Delaney]]|IRL}}
| RD3-score11=2
| RD3-team12={{flagathlete|[[Neil Robertson]]|AUS}}
| RD3-score12=10

| RD3-team13={{flagathlete|[[Simon Bedford]]|ENG}}
| RD3-score13=10
| RD3-team14={{flagathlete|[[Liu Song (snooker player)|Liu Song]]|CHN}}
| RD3-score14=6

| RD3-team15={{flagathlete|[[Leo Fernandez]]|IRL}}
| RD3-score15=10
| RD3-team16={{flagathlete|Michael Rhodes|ENG}}
| RD3-score16=5

| RD3-team17={{flagathlete|[[Kwan Poomjang]]|THA}}
| RD3-score17=7
| RD3-team18={{flagathlete|Garry Hardiman|ENG}}
| RD3-score18=10

| RD3-team19={{flagathlete|[[Munraj Pal]]|ENG}}
| RD3-score19=10
| RD3-team20={{flagathlete|[[Colm Gilcreest]]|IRL}}
| RD3-score20=5

| RD3-team21={{flagathlete|[[Ryan Day (snooker player)|Ryan Day]]|WAL}}
| RD3-score21=10
| RD3-team22={{flagathlete|[[Tony Jones (snooker player)|Tony Jones]]|ENG}}
| RD3-score22=0

| RD3-team23={{flagathlete|[[Jason Ferguson (snooker player)|Jason Ferguson]]|ENG}}
| RD3-score23=4
| RD3-team24={{flagathlete|[[Ricky Walden]]|ENG}}
| RD3-score24=10

| RD3-team25={{flagathlete|Joe Meara|NIR}}
| RD3-score25=5
| RD3-team26={{flagathlete|[[Adrian Gunnell]]|ENG}}
| RD3-score26=10

| RD3-team27={{flagathlete|[[Ding Junhui]]|CHN}}
| RD3-score27=10
| RD3-team28={{flagathlete|[[Paul Davies (snooker player)|Paul Davies]]|WAL}}
| RD3-score28=5

| RD3-team29={{flagathlete|[[Supoj Saenla]]|THA}}
| RD3-score29=8
| RD3-team30={{flagathlete|[[Paul Wykes]]|ENG}}
| RD3-score30=10

| RD3-team31={{flagathlete|[[Stuart Mann]]|ENG}}
| RD3-score31=10
| RD3-team32={{flagathlete|[[Scott MacKenzie (snooker player)|Scott MacKenzie]]|SCO}}
| RD3-score32=2

<!--Round 4-->
| RD4-team01={{flagathlete|[[Darren Morgan]]|WAL}}
| RD4-score01=10
| RD4-team02={{flagathlete|[[Craig Butler (snooker player)|Craig Butler]]|ENG}}
| RD4-score02=8

| RD4-team03={{flagathlete|[[David Finbow]]|ENG}}
| RD4-score03=10
| RD4-team04={{flagathlete|[[Ian Preece]]|WAL}}
| RD4-score04=9

| RD4-team05={{flagathlete|[[Lee Walker]]|WAL}}
| RD4-score05=10
| RD4-team06={{flagathlete|[[Alfie Burden]]|ENG}}
| RD4-score06=7

| RD4-team07={{flagathlete|[[Peter Lines]]|ENG}}
| RD4-score07=10
| RD4-team08={{flagathlete|[[Nick Walker (snooker player)|Nick Walker]]|ENG}}
| RD4-score08=4

| RD4-team09={{flagathlete|[[Rory McLeod (snooker player)|Rory McLeod]]|ENG}}
| RD4-score09=10
| RD4-team10={{flagathlete|[[Bjorn Haneveer]]|BEL}}
| RD4-score10=5

| RD4-team11={{flagathlete|[[Neil Robertson]]|AUS}}
| RD4-score11=10
| RD4-team12={{flagathlete|[[Rod Lawler]]|ENG}}
| RD4-score12=4

| RD4-team13={{flagathlete|[[Andy Hicks]]|ENG}}
| RD4-score13=10
| RD4-team14={{flagathlete|[[Simon Bedford]]|ENG}}
| RD4-score14=7

| RD4-team15={{flagathlete|[[Leo Fernandez]]|IRL}}
| RD4-score15=10
| RD4-team16={{flagathlete|[[Sean Storey]]|ENG}}
| RD4-score16=8

| RD4-team17={{flagathlete|[[Shokat Ali]]|PAK}}
| RD4-score17=10
| RD4-team18={{flagathlete|Garry Hardiman|ENG}}
| RD4-score18=4

| RD4-team19={{flagathlete|[[Nick Dyson]]|ENG}}
| RD4-score19=10
| RD4-team20={{flagathlete|[[Munraj Pal]]|ENG}}
| RD4-score20=9

| RD4-team21={{flagathlete|[[Ryan Day (snooker player)|Ryan Day]]|WAL}}
| RD4-score21=10
| RD4-team22={{flagathlete|[[Mike Dunn (snooker player)|Mike Dunn]]|ENG}}
| RD4-score22=7

| RD4-team23={{flagathlete|[[David Roe]]|ENG}}
| RD4-score23=10
| RD4-team24={{flagathlete|[[Ricky Walden]]|ENG}}
| RD4-score24=5

| RD4-team25={{flagathlete|[[Adrian Gunnell]]|ENG}}
| RD4-score25=10
| RD4-team26={{flagathlete|[[Jimmy Michie]]|ENG}}
| RD4-score26=5

| RD4-team27={{flagathlete|[[Ding Junhui]]|CHN}}
| RD4-score27=10
| RD4-team28={{flagathlete|[[Marcus Campbell]]|SCO}}
| RD4-score28=3

| RD4-team29={{flagathlete|[[Patrick Wallace]]|NIR}}
| RD4-score29=10
| RD4-team30={{flagathlete|[[Paul Wykes]]|ENG}}
| RD4-score30=4

| RD4-team31={{flagathlete|[[Shaun Murphy]]|ENG}}
| RD4-score31=10
| RD4-team32={{flagathlete|[[Stuart Mann]]|ENG}}
| RD4-score32=5

<!--Round 5-->
| RD5-team01={{flagathlete|[[James Wattana]]|THA}}
| RD5-score01=10
| RD5-team02={{flagathlete|[[Darren Morgan]]|WAL}}
| RD5-score02=1

| RD5-team03={{flagathlete|[[Brian Morgan (snooker player)|Brian Morgan]]|ENG}}
| RD5-score03=10
| RD5-team04={{flagathlete|[[David Finbow]]|ENG}}
| RD5-score04=9

| RD5-team05={{flagathlete|[[Lee Walker]]|WAL}}
| RD5-score05=10
| RD5-team06={{flagathlete|[[Barry Hawkins]]|ENG}}
| RD5-score06=8

| RD5-team07={{flagathlete|[[Nigel Bond]]|ENG}}
| RD5-score07=10
| RD5-team08={{flagathlete|[[Peter Lines]]|ENG}}
| RD5-score08=6

| RD5-team09={{flagathlete|[[Rory McLeod (snooker player)|Rory McLeod]]|ENG}}
| RD5-score09=10
| RD5-team10={{flagathlete|[[Stuart Bingham]]|ENG}}
| RD5-score10=6

| RD5-team11={{flagathlete|[[Stephen Maguire]]|SCO}}
| RD5-score11=10
| RD5-team12={{flagathlete|[[Neil Robertson]]|AUS}}
| RD5-score12=6

| RD5-team13={{flagathlete|[[Andy Hicks]]|ENG}}
| RD5-score13=10
| RD5-team14={{flagathlete|[[Jamie Burnett]]|SCO}}
| RD5-score14=4

| RD5-team15={{flagathlete|[[Leo Fernandez]]|IRL}}
| RD5-score15=10
| RD5-team16={{flagathlete|[[Gerard Greene]]|NIR}}
| RD5-score16=9

| RD5-team17={{flagathlete|[[Michael Holt (snooker player)|Michael Holt]]|ENG}}
| RD5-score17=10
| RD5-team18={{flagathlete|[[Shokat Ali]]|PAK}}
| RD5-score18=6

| RD5-team19={{flagathlete|[[Nick Dyson]]|ENG}}
| RD5-score19=10
| RD5-team20={{flagathlete|[[Gary Wilkinson (snooker player)|Gary Wilkinson]]|ENG}}
| RD5-score20=4

| RD5-team21={{flagathlete|[[Ryan Day (snooker player)|Ryan Day]]|WAL}}
| RD5-score21=10
| RD5-team22={{flagathlete|[[Mark Davis (snooker player)|Mark Davis]]|ENG}}
| RD5-score22=6

| RD5-team23={{flagathlete|[[Michael Judge]]|IRL}}
| RD5-score23=10
| RD5-team24={{flagathlete|[[David Roe]]|ENG}}
| RD5-score24=9

| RD5-team25={{flagathlete|[[Adrian Gunnell]]|ENG}}
| RD5-score25=10
| RD5-team26={{flagathlete|[[Fergal O'Brien]]|IRL}}
| RD5-score26=7

| RD5-team27={{flagathlete|[[Barry Pinches]]|ENG}}
| RD5-score27=10
| RD5-team28={{flagathlete|[[Ding Junhui]]|CHN}}
| RD5-score28=7

| RD5-team29={{flagathlete|[[Patrick Wallace]]|NIR}}
| RD5-score29=10
| RD5-team30={{flagathlete|[[Jonathan Birch (snooker player)|Jonathan Birch]]|ENG}}
| RD5-score30=5

| RD5-team31={{flagathlete|[[Stuart Pettman]]|ENG}}
| RD5-score31=10
| RD5-team32={{flagathlete|[[Shaun Murphy]]|ENG}}
| RD5-score32=7

<!--Round 6-->
| RD6-team01={{flagathlete|[[James Wattana]]|THA}}
| RD6-score01=10
| RD6-team02={{flagathlete|[[Dave Harold]]|ENG}}
| RD6-score02=8

| RD6-team03={{flagathlete|[[Joe Swail]]|NIR}}
| RD6-score03=10
| RD6-team04={{flagathlete|[[Brian Morgan (snooker player)|Brian Morgan]]|ENG}}
| RD6-score04=3

| RD6-team05={{flagathlete|[[Lee Walker]]|WAL}}
| RD6-score05=10
| RD6-team06={{flagathlete|[[Mark Selby]]|ENG}}
| RD6-score06=2

| RD6-team07={{flagathlete|[[Ian McCulloch (snooker player)|Ian McCulloch]]|ENG}}
| RD6-score07=10
| RD6-team08={{flagathlete|[[Nigel Bond]]|ENG}}
| RD6-score08=7

| RD6-team09={{flagathlete|[[Robert Milkins]]|ENG}}
| RD6-score09=10
| RD6-team10={{flagathlete|[[Rory McLeod (snooker player)|Rory McLeod]]|ENG}}
| RD6-score10=1

| RD6-team11='''{{flagathlete|[[Stephen Maguire]]|SCO}}'''
| RD6-score11='''w/o'''
| RD6-team12={{flagathlete|[[Robin Hull]]|FIN}}
| RD6-score12=w/d

| RD6-team13={{flagathlete|[[Andy Hicks]]|ENG}}
| RD6-score13=10
| RD6-team14={{flagathlete|[[Anthony Davies (snooker player)|Anthony Davies]]|WAL}}
| RD6-score14=8

| RD6-team15={{flagathlete|[[Dominic Dale]]|WAL}}
| RD6-score15=10
| RD6-team16={{flagathlete|[[Leo Fernandez]]|IRL}}
| RD6-score16=8

| RD6-team17={{flagathlete|[[Anthony Hamilton (snooker player)|Anthony Hamilton]]|ENG}}
| RD6-score17=10
| RD6-team18={{flagathlete|[[Michael Holt (snooker player)|Michael Holt]]|ENG}}
| RD6-score18=9

| RD6-team19={{flagathlete|[[Ali Carter]]|ENG}}
| RD6-score19=10
| RD6-team20={{flagathlete|[[Nick Dyson]]|ENG}}
| RD6-score20=6

| RD6-team21={{flagathlete|[[Ryan Day (snooker player)|Ryan Day]]|WAL}}
| RD6-score21=10
| RD6-team22={{flagathlete|[[Drew Henry]]|SCO}}
| RD6-score22=7

| RD6-team23={{flagathlete|[[John Parrott]]|ENG}}
| RD6-score23=10
| RD6-team24={{flagathlete|[[Michael Judge]]|IRL}}
| RD6-score24=9

| RD6-team25={{flagathlete|[[Mark King (snooker player)|Mark King]]|ENG}}
| RD6-score25=10
| RD6-team26={{flagathlete|[[Adrian Gunnell]]|ENG}}
| RD6-score26=8

| RD6-team27={{flagathlete|[[Barry Pinches]]|ENG}}
| RD6-score27=10
| RD6-team28={{flagathlete|[[Tony Drago]]|MLT}}
| RD6-score28=2

| RD6-team29={{flagathlete|[[Chris Small]]|SCO}}
| RD6-score29=10
| RD6-team30={{flagathlete|[[Patrick Wallace]]|NIR}}
| RD6-score30=7

| RD6-team31={{flagathlete|[[Stuart Pettman]]|ENG}}
| RD6-score31=10
| RD6-team32={{flagathlete|[[Marco Fu]]|HKG}}
| RD6-score32=7
}}
:<small>'''Note''': w/o = [[walkover]]; w/d = withdrawn</small>

==Century breaks==
A total of 55 century breaks were made during the main stage of the tournament. The highest break of the tournament was a 145 made by [[Joe Perry (snooker player)|Joe Perry]].<ref name="Global Snooker Centre L32"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Crucible Centuries |url=http://www.snooker.org/Plr/wc_centuries.shtml |publisher=Snooker.org |access-date=5 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523045039/http://www.snooker.org/plr/wc_centuries.shtml |archive-date=23 May 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Downer |first=Chris |title=Crucible Almanac |year=2012 |pages=151}}</ref>
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
* 145, 100 {{ndash}} [[Joe Perry (snooker player)|Joe Perry]]
* 132, 125, 102 {{ndash}} [[Paul Hunter]]
* 131, 130 {{ndash}} [[John Higgins]]
* 131, 127, 127, 125, 123, 121, 117, 109, 109, 106, 106, 101, 100 {{ndash}} [[Ronnie O'Sullivan]]
* 128, 125, 122, 115, 113, 111, 109, 104 {{ndash}} [[Matthew Stevens]]
* 128, 112, 111 {{ndash}} [[Ryan Day (snooker player)|Ryan Day]]
* 127, 119 {{ndash}} [[Steve Davis]]
* 127, 110 {{ndash}} [[Joe Swail]]
* 121, 112 {{ndash}} [[Stephen Maguire]]
* 120 {{ndash}} [[Jimmy White]]
{{Col-2}}
* 117, 113, 108, 106 {{ndash}} [[Ian McCulloch (snooker player)|Ian McCulloch]]
* 117, 110, 103 {{ndash}} [[Stephen Hendry]]
* 117, 106 {{ndash}} [[Graeme Dott]]
* 116 {{ndash}} [[Andy Hicks]]
* 115, 111 {{ndash}} [[Barry Pinches]]
* 109 {{ndash}} [[James Wattana]]
* 108, 105 {{ndash}} [[Mark Williams (snooker player)|Mark Williams]]
* 103 {{ndash}} [[Alan McManus]]
* 100 {{ndash}} [[David Gray (snooker player)|David Gray]]
{{Col-end}}

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{World Snooker Championship}}
{{Snooker season 2003/2004}}

[[Category:World Snooker Championships|2004]]
[[Category:2004 in snooker|World Championship]]
[[Category:2004 in English sport|World Snooker Championship]]
[[Category:Sports competitions in Sheffield]]
[[Category:April 2004 sports events in the United Kingdom|World Snooker Championship]]
[[Category:May 2004 sports events in the United Kingdom|World Snooker Championship]]