By Dan Warren
BBC Sport at The Crucible |
Ronnie O'Sullivan is complex, erratic and, occasionally, downright belligerent.
But at the 2004 World Championship he showed just why he is absolutely vital for the game of snooker.
 O'Sullivan was a deserving winner of a second world title |
From his fractious start, through his fantastic semi-final against Stephen Hendry, to his ruthless display in lifting the crown, the charismatic Rocket has been utterly compelling.
And a second world title was deserved reward after some unmatchable snooker to light up The Crucible theatre.
With all due respect to gutsy finalist Graeme Dott, this tournament was all about O'Sullivan.
Yet his later glory seemed barely possible as he battled to a 10-6 win over qualifier Stephen Maguire in round one. First he suggested forming a breakaway tournament exclusively for snooker's "exciting" players, then he invited the authorities to fine him for a gesture he made at the table, saying: "I've got plenty of money."
Although it made great copy for the newspapers, it suggested the Rocket was in bad-tempered mode - and some felt he might be about to self-destruct.
So everyone was closely watching his second-round clash with Andy Hicks.
The likeable Devonian, remember, had already made headlines of his own after a confrontation with abrasive Australian Quinten Hann at the end of his first-round win.
And further angry O'Sullivan gestures hinted that this could be the match when he lost the plot.
It was not - a record-equalling five centuries meant he triumphed 13-11. But he then stormed out of a post-match news conference fuming at journalists who he felt were deliberately portraying him in a negative light.
A typically troubled O'Sullivan, or so it seemed.
Then, the transformation.
Why? The influence of mentor Ray Reardon has been cited, as has the fact that he may have shaken off the early-tournament torpor.
Whatever, Anthony Hamilton was unfortunate enough to be next up for O'Sullivan and after being routed 13-3 with a session to spare he could only say: "I can't see him being beaten."
Semi-final opponent and long-term nemesis Stephen Hendry would have begged to differ.
The Rocket had never previously beaten Hendry at The Crucible, and the Scot was fresh from an O'Sullivan-esque 13-3 rout of Ian McCulloch.
What followed was an extraordinary demolition job as O'Sullivan turned in one of the greatest-ever Crucible displays to win by a record 17-4. It is testament to O'Sullivan's magnetism that the other big stories - such as champion Mark Williams and highly-fancied Ken Doherty crashing out - were soon forgotten.
Still, one should not ignore the contribution of final opponent Dott.
He may not match O'Sullivan for flair, but his combination of impeccable safety and quality long potting made him a deserved finalist.
He overcame favoured John Higgins and was simply too good for David Gray in the quarter-final.
Everybody expected him to come unstuck against Matthew Stevens, but he dug deep, made sure nothing was easy for the Welshman and was a worthy winner. And, as he ran 5-0 clear in the final, there were mumblings that one of the greatest-ever Crucible shocks was in the offing.
It was a blip, however, and normal service was resumed as O'Sullivan - although not as devastating as he was against Hendry - relentlessly clawed back the deficit, then built up a commanding lead.
While the snooker authorities publicly censure O'Sullivan with fines and admonishments, in private they know it is good for the game that he won.
They know the game would be all the poorer without him.
MMIX
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