Hendry humbled

Five-time champion Stephen Hendry made a first-round exit from this year’s Maplin UK Championship in Telford as Stephen Lee claimed his scalp.

Hendry, ranked sixth in the world, won his first UK title in 1989, and successfully defended it the following year before reeling off three in a row from 1994 to 1996.

The Scot has been a UK finalist three times since being crowned champion for a fifth time, but Lee made sure he would embark on a run to the final in 2008 with a 9-7 victory.

He went 8-7 up with a century break and confidently sealed victory in the next as Hendry failed to force a decider.

Lee, who has suffered a dip in form and results over recent seasons, told BBC2: “I’m hitting the ball really well and it’s just nice to be part of it.

“I’m feeling quite good under pressure and it’s just a matter of enjoying it again.”

Lee pondered quitting snooker after his first-round exit from the World Championship in April, but the 34-year-old from Trowbridge is relishing his future in the sport again.

“I’ve started to enjoy it again,” he said. “To beat Stephen, I’m over the moon.

“Enjoyment is what it’s all about. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t like it. I would have probably found something else to do with myself.”

Two-time former winner Mark Williams avoided the fate which befell Hendry though, and achieved an impressive victory over Mark Selby.

Welshman Williams led 5-3 after the first session and went on to complete a 9-7 win, fending off world number four Selby who fought back from 7-3 down to 7-7 on the back of three centuries including a 139 break.

Like Lee, Williams is currently out of the world’s top 16 and battling to regain his place among the elite group.

Mark King, 15th in the rankings but in danger of losing his top-16 place, knocked out rising star Judd Trump as he edged a tense final frame to come through 9-8.

While that match went all the way, Hong Kong’s Marco Fu had a smoother run through to the last 16 as he overcame England’s Barry Hawkins 9-6.