I don't need a Rocket from the fans if I stuff Ronnie in semis, says Hendry

13 April 2012

Stephen Hendry is ready to earn the wrath of the Crucible crowd if it means he has wrecked Ronnie O'Sullivan's thrilling campaign and potted himself into the 888.com World Championship Final.

Hendry, the record seventime champion, expects his first Sheffield semi-final in four years to be the same unsympathetic arena that used to greet his epic battles with great rival Jimmy White.

Unpopular: Hendry dreads fans cheering for him against Ronnie O'Sullivan — it would be a sign he is struggling

But the 39-year-old Scot is happy to come a distant second in the popularity stakes if the sense of deja vu extends to hoisting the trophy on Monday night as he pockets a £250,000 winner's cheque.

Hendry, who saw off Wales's Ryan Day 13-7, knows that snooker's armchair army as well as Crucible fans will be rooting for 147 star O'Sullivan, who beat Liang Wenbo 13-7 last night.

The last time they clashed in a major tournament, O'Sullivan stunned Hendry by walking out just a few frames into their 2006 UK Championship quarter-final at York and was subsequently fined £20,000.

Hendry said: "He's currently the best player in the world — right-handed, left-handed, one-legged, one-armed, whatever you want. He's a genius, but I know I've got the game capable of beating him.

"We could have a massive game on our hands and I'll probably have two people supporting me. But I played Jimmy a few times so I'm used to that. That's British sport, isn't it?

"They only cheer the Nugget (Steve Davis) because he can't win a match. I'm dreading coming down one day and getting massive cheers and thinking 'Is that it?' Me becoming popular would be a bad sign.

"Ronnie is hugely popular because he's the most talented player ever and that's why he's got the fans. He's fantastic to watch. But I wouldn't want those shouts of 'Come on, come on' if I was struggling."

O'Sullivan, who has 26 wins to Hendry's 21 in their matches, said: "Class is permanent and form temporary. I'm looking forward to competing in the semi-final against a fantastic player.

"He's up there because he's a great player. He's probably not done as well as he'd like in the last two or three years but when you play to such a high standard you can always win tournaments."

Surprise package Liang, who knocked out Ken Doherty and Joe Swail, gave O'Sullivan a proper game. O'Sullivan said: "He pots better than me. He's got a very attacking style and gets a lot of his shots."

China's Liang, 21, is a hero back home and has been asked to be an Olympic torch-bearer. He said: "To play Ronnie here is an honour. I think we have similar styles but I have to learn, especially on safety."

Ali Carter completed a 13-9 victory over Peter Ebdon in time for lunch then admitted it was fuelled on three hours' sleep and the adrenaline rush of his historic 147 the night before.

Carter, a qualified pilot, gave a weary thumbs up to the crowd after overcoming Ebdon's defiant last stand.

The former champion had played on despite needing six snookers in the last frame. It was a far cry from the celebrations that marked his magical 15th frame but Carter said: "It was always going to be a battle after achieving that. I didn't want to make a maximum then lose the game.

"I got about three hours' sleep. I stayed up in the bar until one, watched telly until three and then was up at seven. But I don't need a rest, I'm pumped up on adrenaline. It's hard to switch off.

"I did watch it again last night, just the once — I was keen to see the celebration more than anything else."

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