Hendry bored by snooker
Stephen Hendry revealed he is finding snooker a “chore” and that he “can’t be bothered playing” after making a shock exit from the Citywest Irish Masters in Dublin today.
The seven-time world champion was beaten 5-4 by Englishman Mark King as his bid for a fourth Irish title ended in the first round.
And Hendry, who won the Premier League title last week, admitted he is feeling fed up with the game less than a month before this year’s Embassy World Championship.
He said: “Snooker is a chore for me at the moment. It’s a chore to go to the club and it’s a chore to get myself up for a match.
“I’m actually playing well but sometimes I can’t be bothered playing snooker.
“I feel like this at some stage every season so I’ll have to play my way through it. With the world championship coming up it’ll have to happen quickly.”
Hendry led 2-1 and trailed 3-2 and 4-3 before producing a 75 clearance to force the contest its full distance.
He had a chance to clear up in the decider but missed the green and conceded, even though King still had to pot it to seal victory.
And King, the world number 22 from Romford, was delighted after beating Hendry for the first time in six meetings.
He said: “I’ve never shied away from playing the top guys but I’ve had my bottom smacked by them a few times.
“I’ve been putting a lot of hard work in recently and it’s paid off.”
World champion Mark Williams admitted his mind was on his Crucible title defence in four weeks time after coasting past Jamie Burnett 5-1.
Williams, who made breaks of 78, 72, 52 and 87, is determined to keep the world championship trophy for another year.
And the Welshman confessed the Irish event and next month’s Players Championship in Glasgow were not at the forefront of his thoughts.
Williams said: “Of course I want to win every tournament I enter but winning the tournament before Sheffield can have a reverse effect on you.
“I like to have at least two weeks of solid practice before the world championship so I’m probably not going flat out to win these two tournaments.
“At least if you get beaten you have more time to get ready for the Crucible.”
Graeme Dott, the world number 13 from Larkhall, Glasgow, won only his second match of the season in defeating Irishman Colm Gilcreest 5-0.
Dott constructed breaks of 56, 43, 40 and 77 with Gilcreest, who won five matches to qualify, mustering a best effort of only 28.
