Snooker: Hendry Fails to Paper Over the Cracks in China

Marco Fu, a 5-4 winner over Stephen Hendry to reach the last 16 of the China Open in Beijing, contrasted the seven-times world champion of the 90s with the 38-year-old Scot who has not won a title of any kind since the Malta Cup of February, 2005.

"Stephen's still a very good player on his day but he's not as consistent as he used to be and that gives you the chance to beat him," said Hong Kong's top player.

Making several surprising errors, Hendry trailed 3-1 but, assisted by a break of 108, led 4-3 and by 54 points in the eighth frame only for Fu to clear with 72 to level at 4-4. Trailing 22-0 in the decider, Hendry attempted a thin cut but hit another red by mistake.