Stephen Hendry returned to skilled snooker in 2021 after a nine-year absence
Stephen Hendry claimed his first main-draw win since his return to the skilled tour with a 3-2 victory over Chris Wakelin within the first spherical of the British Open.
Taking part in in his third match since his comeback, Hendry, 52, edged residence in tense, scrappy decider after Wakelin received a gruelling fourth body to tie the match 2-2.
“You have to get that feeling again, that composure, that is what I lacked,” stated Hendry, who received the British Open in 1988, 1991, 1999 and 2003.
Hendry’s highest break within the match was simply 47 and the seven-time world champion acknowledged that he should enhance to achieve the latter levels, though he noticed some constructive indicators.
“Scoring has bought to be higher, however there’s sufficient there for me to be inspired by. I am hitting the ball rather well, it is getting higher and higher every day,” stated Hendry, who will play Fergal O’Brien or Gary Wilson in spherical two.
After retiring from snooker in 2012, Hendry final 12 months acquired an invitational tour card to play on the World Snooker Tour for 2 seasons and made his comeback on the Gibraltar Open in March, dropping 4-1 to Matthew Selt.
The Scot didn’t qualify for the World Championship in April, dropping a qualifier to China’s Xu Si, having overwhelmed previous rival Jimmy White within the earlier spherical.
Elsewhere, Mark Selby defeated Shaun Murphy 3-2 in a repeat of their World Championship closing earlier this 12 months.
The Jester thrilled his hometown crowd on the Morningside Area in Leicester, wrapping up the decider to arrange a doable assembly with two-time World Championship finalist Ali Carter within the second spherical.
“It would not matter the way you play, it’s all about getting by in a greatest of 5,” stated Selby.
When Selby and Murphy met at The Crucible in Could’s closing it was the primary time a UK sporting occasion had hosted a full-capacity crowd in additional than a 12 months.
Selby received 18-15 to say his fourth world title.
