Hendry misses out on maximum

Stephen Hendry narrowly missed out on a 147 break as he finished the first session of his quarter-final all square at 4-4 against Ken Doherty.

The seven-time winner knocked in a superb 141 clearance to level the heavyweight Crucible clash at 3-3.

Doherty responded with a break of 82 to move ahead, but Hendry worked himself into a great position in the final frame of the session.

The 33-year-old manoeuvred the cue ball around expertly and potted 15 reds and 14 blacks before a bad contact on the final black ended his hopes of a second maximum at the Crucible.

However, a break of 113 was good enough to clinch the frame and leave the match finely balanced at 4-4.

Doherty, who edged a tense, final-frame decider against Mark King in the second round, started well and breaks of 64 and 76 gave him a 2-0 lead.

However, Hendry hit back by dominating the next two, breaks of 81 and 92 good enough to level the scores.

Doherty also produced a frame-winning 82 - but Hendry showed his class in the sixth frame.

Hendry produced some stunning shots as a 141 clearance put in pole position for the £20,000 (€32,000) highest break prize.

Doherty restored his one-frame advantage with a well-constructed 82 break before Hendry failed with his maximum attempt.