: In the semi-finals, O'Sullivan delivered a crushing 17–4 defeat to Stephen Hendry . This set a new record for the largest margin of victory in a World Championship semi-final, surpassing Hendry's own 1992 record.
The 2004 championship remains a significant chapter in the World Snooker Tour , representing the peak of the "modern era" where O'Sullivan began his ascent to matching Stephen Hendry's then-record of seven world titles. World Championship Snooker 2004
: The 2004 event saw the Crucible debuts of Stephen Maguire and Ryan Day . : In the semi-finals, O'Sullivan delivered a crushing