Hendry hits maxium break at snooker World Championships

Stephen Hendry hit the 11th maximum break of his career as a professional player and his third made at the Crucible Theatre in the way of taking an 8-1 lead during the very first day of this year’s World Championships.

The Scotsman holds the record for winning no less than seven world titles at the Crucible and he offered the audience the best “snooker treat” there is; a great 147 made during the 7th frame of his match with the Englishman Stuart Bingham.

Hendry took a great start, breaks of 100, 89, 78 and 61 guaranteeing him a 5-1 lead over his green baize opponent, while the fabulous maximum break took him even further, at 6-1.

Matching the record that before yesterday was held by Ronnie O’Sullivan (who also had 11 maximum breaks), Hendry continued his potting marathon, runs of 75 and 65 ending the first session on a 8-1 scoreline.

If Hendry is to win this match, he will face his fellow countryman John Higgins, who just squeezed pass Liang Wenbo to get a place in the last 16 and keep on defending his world title.

Higgins hasn’t had the best of seasons, struggling constantly to find his form and failing to win any events so far, but during the match with China’s Wenbo he managed to keep it together until the end.

The first session ended with the Scotsman in the leading position at 5-4 and, as the second one began, he carefully extended his dominance at 6-4.

Wenbo fought back with breaks of 45, 72, 43 and 92 not only to draw level, but also to take the lead at 8-6, thus putting his opponent in a very dangerous place.

But, as defending champion, Higgins had to respond and his replay came under the form of runs of 133 and 59 that put him one away from victory.

The Chinese player forced a decider, but Higgins was determined to end the match quickly so, after hitting in breaks of 40 and 33, the scoreboard froze at 10-9.

Ramona Dragomir