Hendry through, just...
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
ByEurosport
Published 25/04/2007 at 12:06 GMT
Stephen Hendry made desperately hard work of overcoming David Gilbert before finally moving through to the second round with a 10-7 victory. The seven-time champion continued to struggle with his new cue, but ground out the win after starting Wednesday mo
SNOOKER 2006 Hendry Slideshow 12/01/2006
Image credit: Imago
Qualifier Gilbert was handed plenty of chances by the out-of-sorts Scot, but failed to score heavily enough to make him pay and add to the list of former world champions already eliminated from this year's tournament.
Hendry went 6-5 up thanks to a break of 70 in the 11th frame, though Gilbert hung in the match to level at 7-7 before Hendry stumbled over the finish line.
Hendry was pleased with the way he responded to being put under pressure by Gilbert.
"I thought my attitude and concentration was fantastic through the whole match, which is something I had been working hard on," Hendry said. "If my attitude had been better last year I wouldn't have lost in the first round.
"I could easily have chucked this match at 5-1 down, so I'm delighted with the way I dug in and won nine of the next 11 frames. I thought that was a tremendous performance."
In the morning session's other match, Australian Neil Robertson took advantage of Ryan Day's slow sluggish start to open up a 3-0 lead before the Welshman fought back.
However, Robertson - one of the favourites for the title after winning two ranking titles already this season - took a crucial final frame on a re-spotted black to ensure he begins this evening's session with a 6-3 lead.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement