World Snooker Championship successive title. There were 48 century breaks during the final stages, a new record. In the first round of 1997 championship Ronnie O'Sullivan made the fastest maximum break in snooker history, taking just 5 minutes and 20 seconds. The final was between Stephen Hendry and Irishman Ken Doherty. Doherty led 15–7 before Hendry won 5 frames in a row. Doherty then won the next three frames to win 18–12, ending Hendry's winning run of 29 consecutive matches. Stephen Hendry lost to Jimmy White in the first round of the 1998 championship. Doherty reached the final again meeting 22-year-old John Higgins.
1939 World Snooker Championship 1939 World Snooker Championship The 1939 World Snooker Championship was a snooker tournament held at the Thurston's Hall in London, England. Joe Davis won his 13th consecutive World title by defeating Sidney Smith 43–30 in the final. Fred Davis made a new championship record with a top break of 113. There were a record 15 entries for the Championship. The numbers in the competition proper was increased from 8 to 12. A qualifying competition was again used, with the four selected players competing for a place in the final twelve. Although the competition itself was played at Thurston's Hall, the