Hendry not in frame for Crucible by a long chalk
STEPHEN Hendry has dismissed his chances of returning to the Crucible this year despite sinking old foe Jimmy White to reach the second round of the World Championship qualifying tournament on Monday.
The 52-year-old will resume his unlikely quest against China’s Xu Si tonight, with three further hurdles to overcome if he is to book his place back at the scene of his record seven titles.
But after his arduous 6-3 win over White, Hendry admitted: “On this evidence, my game isn’t ready. I think next year I would be more realistic about my chances.
“In the next round I could play a lot better but I don’t think my game is ready to win four tough matches to get to the Crucible yet.
“Hopefully if I can keep improving, my technique becomes reliable, then next year will be the goal to get back to the Crucible.”
It was a candid admission of his shortcomings by the Scot, in what was only his second professional match since he returned after a nineyear absence with defeat to Matthew Selt in the first round of the Gibraltar Open last month.
Hendry’s undoubted high point was a 66 clearance in the sixth frame which was reminiscent of the dominant days when he used to torment White, who now faces a decision about continuing on the tour following his latest sorry display.
Other results this week are likely to leave White needing to go to Q School or else rely on a likely wild-card from World Snooker Tour chiefs, but the 56-year-old, who described his display as “horrendous” is unsure whether he will take up the offer.
“He (Hendry) knew I was struggling,” shrugged White. “All he had to do was pick me off. He’s playing better than that and can improve – unfortunately for me, I can’t.”
Hendry stands a reasonable chance against world number 82 Xu – ranked,
after all, only one place above White in the current rankings – but would face an immense task in round three against the qualifying top seed Zhou Yuelong.
Hendry added: “I will be a huge underdog whoever I play in this qualifying. I have just got to enjoy the process of getting my game back to somewhere where I can win matches.
“It was nice to win in my second match out. There will be doubters out there who will say it was Jimmy White, who has not won many matches, but I don’t care, I know how good Jimmy is.” n Meanwhile, Ronnie O’sullivan hopes the return of fans at the Crucible can help inspire him towards another World Championship triumph.
The showpiece tournament in Sheffield is the first sporting competition to be included in Government plans for a pilot programme enabling the safe return of mass gatherings and indoor events as lockdown restrictions ease in England. The trial will enable some 1,000 spectators per day to attend the World Championship, which runs from April 17 to May 3. O’sullivan will be bidding for a seventh title when he defends his Crucible crown.
The world number two hopes when he walks back out in front of supporters again at the Crucible later this month, the change in atmosphere will give him a welcome boost. “I always miss the fans. I think it is time at some point to start getting back to that,” O’sullivan said. “I have been guilty myself sometimes out there, maybe not kept the foot down as much as I would have done if there was a crowd. Sometimes they get on your back if they think you can do better.
“I think for everybody it will be helpful, not just for snooker but all sports. At some point we have got to try, but they have to do what is the right thing and I am sure they will and at some point we can get the fans back in.”