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Stephen Hendry couldn't believe it when told he had been drawn against Jimmy White for their first round World Snooker Championship qualifier.

The seven-time world champion was speechless and asked if the match against his old rival was a wind-up.

 Hendry couldn't believe he was drawn against White in their first round qualifier
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Hendry couldn't believe he was drawn against White in their first round qualifier

Hendry formed a brilliant rivalry with White during the 1990s.

The 52-year-old prevailed in all four of the pair's World Championship finals in a fiercely competitive decade of snooker.

Scotland's seven-time world champion retired in 2012, before making his return earlier this month when he lost to Matthew Selt in the first round of the Gibraltar Open.

 Hendry beat White on four occasions during the 90s
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Hendry beat White on four occasions during the 90sCredit: Getty Images - Getty

White has lost six World Championship finals and is currently ranked 83rd in the world, playing on an invitational card.

Hendry knows there will be plenty on the line when they go head to head once again and joked that their practise sessions are now done.

The pair's first round tie will be the best of 11 frames, with the winner facing China's Xu Si in the second round.

Speaking about the draw, Hendry said: "I can't believe it.

"All those finals and now we're starting off at rock bottom playing each other in the very first round, it's incredible.

"We have been practising together but that will end now."

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