Mark Selby shows master class against Stephen Hendry – 2011 Betfred.com World Snooker Championship
English snooker player, Mark Selby, held a commanding 7-1 lead against Stephen Hendry, after the opening session of their best-of-25 frames match in the last 16 of the 2011 Betfred.com World Snooker Championship. The tournament is being staged from April
16 to May 3, at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield.
It was an exceptional performance from the Jester from Leicester, Mark Selby, as he produced a high standard game to put himself in the driving seat against the Scottish legend, Stephen Hendry.
The overall score-line between both players was 125-5, 5-114, 108-7, 98-1, 70-45, 135-0, 112-6 and 68-31.
The World Number three, Selby, dominated the first frame in a straight forward fashion, as he fired up a mind-boggling century break of 125 to draw the first blood 1-0.
Seven-time world champion, Hendry, however, showed no reeling effects and responded with a dashing century break of 114, to level the proceedings at 1-1. The third and fourth frame were over within a blink of an eye, as the twenty-eight-year-old, Selby,
mopped up classy breaks of 108 and 98 in both frames respectively, to lead by 1-3 before the mid-session interval.
On resuming the game, the first chance in the fifth frame fell for Hendry but he lost his nerves, breaking down on 45 and when the chance presented itself, Selby punished him with another carving break of 70 to clinch the frame.
Hendry’s confidence was shuttered furthur when his opponent racked up another unbelievable match-highest century break of 129, in the sixth frame. The Englishman was almost invincible throughout the match, as he also took the following seventh and eighth
frame, to end his campaign with an impressive 7-1 lead.
Stephen Hendry has already hinted his retirement and it could be a painful exit for the Scottish legend, if Selby beats him with a session to spare.
Both players will again fight it out for the quarter-finals today, in a battle to ensure a berth in the last eight. All is left to see whether the King of the Crucible, Stephen Hendry, is able to make a comeback against Selby, who is certainly looking in
prime form.
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