Hendry’s thoughts of a Euro Masters slot take a tumble
STEPHEN Hendry’s snooker return suffered another brutal blow as he failed to qualify for the European Masters.
The seven-time world champion stunned everyone associated with the sport when he came back last season after nine years in retirement.
But Hendry, now 52, has struggled for form since his remarkable return to the World Snooker Tour.
And his latest disappointing defeat came at the hands of young Chinese potter Li Hang after he suffered a 5-3 loss in Cannock yesterday.
Hendry won his first-round match at the British Open and has qualified for next week’s English Open.
But he failed to book his spot at the Scottish Open, where the trophy is named after him, and he suffered a German Masters qualifying drubbing to a player young enough to be his grandson last week.
The Edinburgh potter showed glimpses of his scoring potential as he made breaks of 57 and 56 and was well in the match at 2-2.
But he quickly found himself 4-2 behind as the Chinese cueman opened up a commanding two-frame cushion.
The Scot had runs of 31 and 48 to keep himself in the hunt before the world No 43 booked his place at next year’s event in Furth with a match-winning visit of 88.
Meanwhile, snooker legend Ronnie O’sullivan has insisted he has absolutely nothing left to prove in the sport.
All-conquering O’sullivan has won everything in the green-baize game, but has failed to land a ranking title since his sensational sixth Crucible crown last year.
The Rocket roared to five finals last season but suffered heartache on each occasion with painful defeats.
“Reaching five finals, if you consider that a bad season for me, then that’s quite a compliment in many ways,” admitted the world No 3, ahead of next week’s English Open.
“I don’t think about last season at all. I never question my ability. Winning tournaments is just a by-product of what you do.
“You just have less to prove. You get to a certain point it’s a privilege to still be playing the game.
“I have tremendous belief in my ability that if I play well then I have a good chance of winning.
“Even if I don’t, I still have a chance. I’ve won a lot of tournaments not playing my best.”
Scottish seven-time world champion Hendry and six-time Crucible King Steve Davis won their last ranking crowns at 36 and 38 respectively.
And O’sullivan, 45, feels privileged to still be competing with the game’s top stars 29 years since turning pro.
“A lot of players before at 30 or 31 would probably be past their best,” said O’sullivan, a winner of 37 ranking events during his illustrious career.
“You’d see that as sort of the yardstick for yourself, career wise. So, to still be playing at nearly 50, you see it like a bonus.
“By rights a good 25-year-old should beat a good 46-year-old, but they’re not.”