Hendry
Stephen Hendry provided a sensational start to the Betfred.com World Championship with a 147 maximum break on the opening day at the Crucible.

 

The snooker legend was in vintage form in racing to a 7-1 lead over Stuart Bingham, highlighted by his brilliant maximum in frame seven.

 

Hendry, who only arrived back from a 10,000-mile return trip to the remote Chinese city of Changchun on Friday, said: "I have a match still to win, but the 147 was probably one of my best, position-wise, and it was absolutely fantastic to make a third maximum here.

 

"I felt really good out there, and the jetlag - well, sleep is for wimps. It's the new way, fly in to Sheffield the day before with no practice!

 

"That ties with me with Ronnie to have made three here, and I don't care what Mark Williams says about the Crucible, there is no better feeling than to make on here."


 

 After splitting the reds early in the break, Hendry picked them off with ease and never fell out of position as he scored the tenth maximum at the Crucible.

 

It's his third in Sheffield following two in 1995 and 2009, equalling Ronnie O'Sullivan's record. It's also the 11th 147 of Hendry's career, again matching O'Sullivan's record.

 

It's the 11th maximum of the season and 88th in snooker history. It's also the second in this year's Betfred.com World Championship following one in the qualifying rounds from Robert Milkins.

 

Auchterarder's Hendry will pick up a bonus of £40,000 from the rolling 147 prize which has run throughout the season, plus the £10,000 high break prize, providing the break is not equalled.

 

The Scot punched the air in delight after potting the final black. He has looked in vintage form against Bingham so far and is closing in on a place in the second round.

 

The session was officiated by Zhu Ying, the first Chinese referee at the Crucible.