Robertson defeats Hendry

Eurosport - Wed, 14 Jan 21:57:00 2009

Neil Robertson completed a 6-4 victory over six-time champion Stephen Hendry in the Masters at Wembley.

SNOOKER/Robertson Imago - 0

Hendry failed to take his chances in a match that entertained for its' drama more than the quality with Robertson the more clinical.

Both players got off to a below-par standard as the pair struggled to find their rhythm early on.

Robertson uncharacteristically missed a pink and black off their respective spots when in amongst the balls but Hendry let the Australian off the hook with a missed red along the top cushion which handed Robertson the first frame.

Despite a 100 per cent long-pot success rate for both players over the first few frames neither player could take a strangle-hold on the match with a frame-winning break. But Hendry levelled the match despite needing numerous chances as Robertson also faltered.

Robertson, from Melbourne, found some form to take the third frame in one visit with an 85. That brought the best out of Hendry who made an 80 clearance to level at 2-2 before the interval.

Robertson, the world number ten, made a 97 with all reds and blacks in frame five but despite a gallant effort couldn't negotiate two reds in baulk together with prime position to complete a 147 attempt.

There were glimpses of vintage Hendry as he stole the next with a 61 clearance after Robertson missed a gilt-edged chance on the brown following a run of 51.

The six-time Masters champion then moved ahead for the first time at 4-3 and should have taken the next but lost position on the final green on a run of 60.

Robertson stepped in and cleared the remaining colours to square the match and pinched frame nine with a 47 clearance.

A break of 92 saw Robertson clinch frame and match who will next face Stephen Maguire in the quarter-finals.

Geraint Williams / Eurosport

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  1. I'm bloody really starting to hate this. I love Hendry but this enormously talented man can't seem to get a good string of games to save his life. COME ON ALREADY!

    From Denis P, on Thu 15 Jan 9:10PM
  2. There was a def improvement in some parts of hendry's game like his long potting and general all round potting, his safety was good in parts, but robertson was in control of every safety exchange. Robertson was pretty poor by his standards and let hendry off the hook many times.

    Saying that hendry could have won, but he relied heavly on his potting skills due to his awful position play and choices.

    From marc.oconnor16, on Thu 15 Jan 8:50AM
  3. many friends like to chat with him online on ta ll da ting site ____T all Min gle Com____, He often told us some funny jokes. Seems he is famous on that site,especially some hot models talk with him positively.

    From Lisina W, on Wed 14 Jan 7:02PM
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