Snooker: Hendry gives Day a snooker master-class

Stephen Hendry whitewashed snooker apprentice Ryan Day 6-0 in the Benson and Hedges Masters at Wembley.

Hendry achieved the highest break of the event so far in his 96-minute destruction of Masters newcomer Day.

He followed his run of 103 with further frame-winning efforts of 89, 60, 91 and 84.

Day managed just 45 in frame three - which he was unlucky to lose. Hendry stole it on the black, and after that it was plain sailing.

"If I had won that frame it might have been a different match," said Day.

"But after that I didn't have much of a chance. That's the first time I've played Stephen, and I hope I won't meet him too often in the future if he's going to play like that."

Hendry is certainly back to his best having ended 27 months in the wilderness with victory at the European Open title in Malta last November.

"I've always had belief in my ability and never thought I was finished in the game," he said.

"Once I'd sorted the technical side of my game with Terry Griffiths it was just a question of getting more and more confidence.

"I am not saying I'm back and I'm going to do this and that. But I'm in a position to be competing again and getting in positions to win tournaments."

Hendry next plays world number one Mark Williams or Mark King on Friday for a place in the semi-finals, but he had little sympathy for Day, saying: "Do I have any sympathy for Ryan? Not at all. You are here to destroy your opponent as well as you can.

"I'm sure Marcus Campbell didn't feel sorry for me when he beat me 9-0 at the UK Championships a few years ago.

"Ryan has got to learn the hard way. But I'm sure he will because he's a good young player."