Hendry in line to meet O'Sullivan in semis

Stephen Hendry, the youngest-ever world champion, again showed that time has not caught up with him at his favourite venue.

Stephen Hendry, the youngest-ever world champion, again showed that time has not caught up with him at his favourite venue.

The 35-year-old Scot, the oldest of this year's quarter-finalists, is well in command of his Embassy World Championship tie against Ian McCulloch at the Crucible in Sheffield.

Hendry, who collected the first of his seven world crowns 14 years ago, takes a 6-2 lead into tomorrow's back-to-back sessions. And the world number two looks determined to avoid a repeat of his previous round close shave against Barry Pinches.

McCulloch, appearing in his first world quarter-final, compiled the highest break of the afternoon as Hendry again failed to boost this year's century tally.

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But McCulloch's effort of 117 was one of his few bright moments as Hendry set about clinching a semi-final against arch rival Ronnie O'Sullivan, who tonight comfortably beat Anthony Hamilton 13-3.

Hendry knocked in breaks of 57 and 68 to lead 2-0. After McCulloch calmed his nerves with 72 in the third, Hendry pulled further away with additional breaks of 71, 52 and 60.

McCulloch, a first-round winner over 2002 champion Peter Ebdon, has only taken four frames off Hendry in three previous meetings.

Elsewhere, Graeme Dott made an excellent start against David Gray and leads 6-2.

PA