Hendry relishing clash with O'Sullivan

Stephen Hendry is relishing the prospect of going head to head with Ronnie O’Sullivan for a place in the Embassy World Championship final.

It is a match that would have been a fitting climax to the tournament at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre.

Instead, the former stablemates and arch rivals meet in a best of 33 frames semi-final starting tomorrow night.

Hendry has won their three previous Crucible meetings including a 17-13 victory at the same stage two years ago that led to bad blood between the pair.

O’Sullivan questioned Hendry’s sportsmanship after the game and was less than gracious in defeat.

“I wouldn’t exactly say we are friends,” confirmed the seven-times champion after his 13-3 quarter-final success over Ian McCulloch.

“But what happened then is water under the bridge. I have the utmost respect for Ronnie as a snooker player.

“He is one of the greatest talents the game has ever seen. And he’s capable of slaughtering me just like I’m capable of slaughtering him.”

Hendry had no problems finishing his latest match with a session to spare against his Preston rival.

McCulloch won only one frame this afternoon – with his second century of the match – as Hendry enjoyed an easier outing than his 13-12 second round win over Barry Pinches.

O’Sullivan also notched a 13-3 scoreline and finished a session early against Anthony Hamilton last night.

“Ronnie has probably played a higher standard of snooker to get this far than I have,” conceded the world number two.

“I’ve only made three centuries to reach the semi-finals when normally I’ve made twice or three times that many. So, my break building has been nothing special.”

Hendry, chasing his first world crown since 1999, dismissed suggestions he holds a psychological edge over the Rocket.

“My three wins over him doesn’t matter one little bit. It’s a new game and that’s the way Ronnie will be looking at it.

“And the best player over the three days will win,” insisted the 35-year-old Scot.

Hendry had to wait until frame 14 for his first century of the game and he finished off with another ton two frames later.

“I managed to get a good lead in the first session and so I was able to play my natural game today,” he said.

“It’s difficult to do that when you are chasing the match like I was in the last round.”

McCulloch’s consolation included the possibility of a first ever place among snooker’s top 16 elite.

“I think Graeme Dott has to make the final to stop me,” said the Lancastrian left- hander of his top 16 chances.

“I still fancied it at 6-2 but a lot of the balls that went in against Peter Ebdon and Alan McManus didn’t go in today.

“But I’ve had my fair share of luck this week and sometimes it doesn’t always go your way.”