Anyone can have a bad session at the Crucible, particularly in the first round – just as John Higgins did yesterday morning – so it would be premature to start writing Stephen Hendry’s professional obituary just because he let slip a 4-0 lead over Zhang Anda.
However, there are clearly worrying signs for Hendry, who missed two straight pinks and a straight red towards the end of the first session yesterday.
It always was a leap into the unknown for him. Zhang, just 18, was all at sea as he attempted to get to grips with the unique Crucible atmosphere but, after the interval, he grew in confidence and the pressure transferred to Hendry.
So 5-4 to the seven times champion and a fascinating final session in prospect tonight. I still expect Hendry to come through but he needs to rediscover his focus and cut out the careless mistakes.
Before all that Mark Allen should finish off Tom Ford and Mark Selby, 6-3 up on Ken Doherty, will be looking to make a good start to keep the former champion at bay.
13 comments:
i fancy zhangs chances today hendry should have put him away in first session.Williams for the title
Snooker © The Fine Art Method
A secret is wasted if not shared
Dear Dave
How are you lad! Thanks for the past posts and good luck on your commentaries. It needs a bit of luck in that game as well Dave when the passing thought escapes without words.
Whether the youngster can beat Hendry or not Dave the lad has had a very good early coach. The lad’s game is about being a top student as opposed to learning how to play advance snooker.
A tip for you Dave not for the BBC commentators as it is copyright material. Notice in commentary that every time Stephen misses a vital pot that he always steals an extra inch on his back swing.
The silly pause needs restarted again. Notice as well Dave that the pause is often too long in Length or too long in Time.
Please notice Dave the Chinese youngster hasn’t been in this country long enough to be “Force Fed” this harmful technique. Good Luck. Mr hey you.
I think its interesting you suggest that "anyone can have a bad session" when it relates to Hendry but surely Anda's first session where he trailed 4-0 was the worst followed by the best.
From his perspective a win against Crucible King Hendry would rate a marvellous achievement, and certainly more relevant than any bad session Hendry might have endured.
Hendry will kill him tonight.
At 9-7, after many easy mistakes, I was sure Stephen has given up.
It's good that he found some confidence in the last three frames and didn't get angry with himself (like in a match with Mark Allen in China Open).
And it's good to see him applauding his opponent. Zhang has played some really fine snooker tonight.
Having said that, congratulations to Hendry. Hope that this win will make him stronger.
It seems he can, yes!
What a great last three frames!!
wow. What a comeback from Hendry...
CAN HENDRY PUT AWAY ZHANG? YES HE CAN BUT NOT WITHOUT ONE HELL OF A FRIGHT. UNLUCKY ZHANG. WELL PLAYED AND EVERY CREDIT HENDRY. WELL PLAYED BOTH INFACT. ABSOLUTLY COMPELLING. BRILLIANT.
Henry killed him tonight. 10-9 (after losing 7-9)
According to Hendry afterwards, he was preparing his "retirement" speech at 9-7 down. Could have been a momentous day if young Zhang had held on.
1.12 AM - I didn't know Drew Henry was still playing.
@913
112 meant lenny henry
People,
Indeed it was a marvellous ending to an otherwise topsy-turvy match. Anyone saying that snooker lacks drama should've watched this one.
Great prospect for the future provided Zhang can keep this level up. Throughout the years I've seen young players like him come and go relatively quickly since consistency seems still to be their main problem.
Perhaps the ancient saying "it's not about getting to the top, it's about staying there" holds true here.
All credit also to Hendry for indeed ushering out Zhang before him. I'm sure he was mighty relieved to have won that match in the end and I'm glad to see good manners and politeness still exist in our beautiful game.
Cheers,
Jurgen.
Post a Comment