Hendry squanders lead and crashes out

Snooker:  Six-times champion Stephen Hendry crashed out of the SAGA Insurance Masters after a shock second defeat to fellow …

Snooker:  Six-times champion Stephen Hendry crashed out of the SAGA Insurance Masters after a shock second defeat to fellow Scot Alan McManus.

He lost four frames on the spin having led 4-2, slipping to an unexpected 6-4 loss at the hands of his rival at the Wembley Conference Centre.

McManus, who won the title in 1994 when he beat Hendry 9-8 in a memorable final, now plays Welshman Mark Williams in the quarter-finals.

"It's a great win to have under your belt. I always enjoy playing Stephen and feel comfortable playing him," said a delighted McManus.

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"For some reason I don't feel under pressure. I'm probably the only one expecting myself to win against him.

"When it went 4-2 I thought he'd run away with the match, but I got some chances and took them. I've not beaten Stephen for ages, so it was great to perform out there again in the big arena."

Hendry had previously not lost to McManus since he was beaten 5-2 at the British Open in Plymouth.

But he praised his fellow Scot for fighting back to beat him.

"He always seems to save his best for me," said Hendry.  "I missed a careless blue and from then on Alan was the better player.

"He always raises his game when he plays me. I don't think I've had an easy game against Alan, and he deserved to win."