Snooker: Scots look forward to clash

Stephen Hendry will face fellow Scot John Higgins for a semi-final place in the Regal Welsh Open.

The two have crossed cues on 20 previous occasions and Hendry holds a 12-8 advantage.

The seven-time world champion was near his best as he dismissed Jimmy White 5-1 to reach the last eight.

Breaks of 101 and 110 took his career century tally to 551 and reinforced the message he sent out on winning last month's European Open that he is back as a major force in the game.

Hendry acknowledged there were still improvements to be made if he was to beat an in-form Higgins - but claimed he will not be thinking about his opponent.

"John is a great player but it doesn't really matter who you play at this stage - if they're sat in their chair they can't do anything to stop you potting balls," he said.

"To be in the quarter-finals of a ranking event you have to be a good player so it isn't that important who you play."

Higgins reached the quarter-finals courtesy of a 5-3 victory over world number 13 Mark King, and has an extra motivation to get past Hendry following the exit of Ronnie O'Sullivan.

"Ronnie going out did me a favour because he built up a big lead after winning the UK," said Higgins, who trails O'Sullivan in second place by over 5,000 points in the world ranking system.

"There was a danger he could have had it sewn up pretty soon so this is a chance for me or Stephen."