Former world champion Stephen Hendry suffered a shock opening defeat in the British Open in Newcastle yesterday after a dreadful performance against Welshman Anthony Davies.

Hendry went down 5-1 to Davies who almost quit the sport two years ago to join the police force.

"People will be correct to write me off after that performance," said Hendry. "I lost 9-0 in the UK Championship a couple of years ago but this was a worse display."

For world number 31 Davies it was the biggest win of his professional career and his first in three attempts against Hendry.

Davies, playing only his second match in seven months, took the first three frames but needed 98 minutes to do so. Hendry stopped the rot in the fourth but breaks of 59 and 61 after the interval set up a last-16 meeting with Mark King.