It doesn’t go to cue for Hendry

STEPHEN HENDRY’S hopes of a fairytale Seniors World Championship title were ended by arch-rival Jimmy White.

Seven-time world champ Hendry (above), 51, lost 4-2 to ‘the Whirlwind’ in a nostalgic semi-final showdown at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre.

With defeat, Hendry, who famously beat White in four world finals, missed out on a first title for 15 years and a wildcard entry to this season’s Champion of Champions tournament.

“It’s always great to beat Stephen because he’s such a great competitor and a great battler,” said White, 58.

Hendry said: “Jimmy is just a little sharper. He’s played more matches and is still on the tour. But that’s not an excuse, Jimmy played better.”

POL ESPARGARO hopes to convert his maiden pole into a first MotoGP win at today’s Styrian Grand Prix, in Spielberg, Austria.

The KTM rider clocked a best lap of 1min 23.580secs in qualifying, beating LCR Honda Idemitsu’s Takaaki Nakagami by 0.022secs.

Espargaro said: “It’s unbelievable, I feel really, really pleased because I was not imagining that we could get the pole. I was trying for the first or maybe second row.”

VISIONTRACK DUCATI’S Christian Iddon crossed the line at Snetterton yesterday for his maiden Bennetts British Superbike Championship win.