Snooker legend Stephen Hendry wins first main-draw match since comeback at British Open with scrappy display… and old friend Mark Williams jokes ‘it ain’t the worst match I’ve ever seen but it’s in the top two!’
- Stephen Hendry edged out Chris Wakelin 3-2 in the first round of British Open
- Snooker legend has been working hard on comeback and is ranked No 91
- The 52-year-old returned to action last year having given up back in 2012
- It was not a high quality encounter and Hendry’s highest break was only 47
Stephen Hendry has won his first match at a major tournament since the seven-time snooker world champion came out of retirement.
The legendary figure, 52, came back last year having walked away from the game back in 20212.
His return has been underwhelming and only managed to enter a handful of tournaments due to a two-year wildcard but showed signs of improvement on Tuesday in beating Chris Wakelin.
Stephen Hendry won his first main-draw game since coming back from retirement
Hendry edged out Wakelin 3-2 in the first round of the British Open at Morningside Arena.
It was his second victory since dusting off the cue to make his comeback, the first coming against Jimmy White.
There were signs of nerves for both players and it was the first time Hendry had played in front of supporters, 600 in total, since losing to Stephen Maguire at the World Championship nine years ago.
Hendry’s highest break in the match was just 47 and his long-time friend and three-time world champion Mark Williams wrote on Twitter: ‘This ain’t the worst match I have ever seen – but it’s certainly in the top two.’
Hendry said he was not capitalising on the chances he managed to create but still won
After the match, Hendry reflected: ‘I am very pleased to win the match, that is the aim – to get the ‘W’.
‘There was good stuff in there, but I am also looking at the stats.
‘A highest break of 47 – I had lots of chances to make more than that and my scoring has got to be better.
‘I was creating openings and not capitalising.
‘Match sharpness is a big thing, being out there in the pit. You have to get that feeling back, and that composure.
‘I am hitting the ball well and it is getting better and better every day. That is encouraging. I know it has to get better, but I am delighted to win.’