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THE MASTERS
Venue: Wembley Arena Date: 9-16 January Coverage: Live action & highlights on BBC Two, Red Button and BBC Sport website; updates and reports on BBC Radio 5 live and online; watch again on iPlayer; full details of BBC coverage
World champion Neil Robertson avoided being another Masters shock first-round casualty with a 6-3 win over six-times champion Stephen Hendry.
Hendry started brightly and runs of 64 and 74 gave him a 2-1 lead.
Left-hander Robertson stormed back, though, with breaks of 85, 86 and 81 to get within one frame of victory.
Hendry, ranked 14, pulled one frame back but Robertson stayed cool to secure a quarter-final clash with Mark Allen, conqueror of Ronnie O'Sullivan.
After his win Robertson launched a stinging attack on the modern-day Hendry, saying: "He didn't put me away and he should have been up 3-1.
"He doesn't have the same aura as he used to. It's like watching a completely different player - technically he has a lot of flaws."
Looking ahead to his match with the talented Allen, he added: "He's a great player and it will be tough. If I make a few improvements I think I will get through."
The tournament at Wembley has been full of surprises this week with Mark Selby, Mark Williams, John Higgins, Ali Carter, Stephen Maguire and "The Rocket" all crashing out at the first hurdle.
Another shock seemed on the cards after three frames on Wednesday afternoon as Hendry, eyeing his first major tournament for nearly six years, opened up with a 74 to stun the current world champion.
The Scot, who turns 42 on Thursday, wasted chances in the next but a fine 64 in the third frame set up a 2-1 lead.
The wheels soon fell off for the player who last won the Masters in 1996 as Melbourne left-hander Robertson finally found some form.
The 28-year-old has struggled over the festive period with flu but after levelling the match at 2-2 with an 85, the smoothness of his potting ensured his opponent remained in the chair for the majority of the next hour.
An 86 opened up a 3-2 lead and with Hendry continuing to struggle with his safety and long potting, Robertson edged a nervy sixth frame to get within two of the finish line.
The potting was relentless for Robertson, still eyeing his first Masters semi-final spot, and an 81 had Hendry looking thoroughly miserable with his towel covering his face.
Hendry though, well known for his battling style, survived another frame as a nerveless and impressive 49 got the score back to 5-3.
He had more chances to get right back into the match, but with his safety success plummeting below the 54% level and long-pot success just above 70%, Robertson remained in control to knock in a 48 and then a 34 to secure the victory.
Hendry rued his missed opportunities and admitted: "It could be my last chance here at the Masters if I don't buck my ideas up.
"I just need results to stay into the top 16. The Masters is for the elite players and not to be considered one of those would be hard to swallow and brings home what I need to do.
"I've still got the desire and I'm getting the chances. My form is there in practice - I hit seven centuries in nine frames last week."
Asked how he would celebrate his birthday the Scotsman, who has agreed to join the BBC commentary team for the remainder of the event, quipped: "I'll be joining the has-beens in the box."
Shaun Murphy, ranked five, and 13th seed Jamie Cope feature in the tournament's last opening round clash from 1900 GMT on Wednesday.
MASTERS FIRST ROUND DRAW/RESULTS:
Mark King 6-4 Mark Selby
Ali Carter 5-6 Peter Ebdon
Mark Williams 4-6 Ding Junhui
John Higgins 4-6 Graeme Dott
Ronnie O'Sullivan 4-6 Mark Allen
Stephen Maguire 4-6 Marco Fu
Neil Robertson 6-3 Stephen Hendry
Shaun Murphy v Jamie Cope (Wednesday from 1900 GMT)
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Venue: Wembley Arena Date: 9-16 January Coverage: Live action & highlights on BBC Two, Red Button and BBC Sport website; updates and reports on BBC Radio 5 live and online; watch again on iPlayer; full details of BBC coverage
World champion Neil Robertson avoided being another Masters shock first-round casualty with a 6-3 win over six-times champion Stephen Hendry.
Hendry started brightly and runs of 64 and 74 gave him a 2-1 lead.
Left-hander Robertson stormed back, though, with breaks of 85, 86 and 81 to get within one frame of victory.
Hendry, ranked 14, pulled one frame back but Robertson stayed cool to secure a quarter-final clash with Mark Allen, conqueror of Ronnie O'Sullivan.
After his win Robertson launched a stinging attack on the modern-day Hendry, saying: "He didn't put me away and he should have been up 3-1.
"He doesn't have the same aura as he used to. It's like watching a completely different player - technically he has a lot of flaws."
Looking ahead to his match with the talented Allen, he added: "He's a great player and it will be tough. If I make a few improvements I think I will get through."
The tournament at Wembley has been full of surprises this week with Mark Selby, Mark Williams, John Higgins, Ali Carter, Stephen Maguire and "The Rocket" all crashing out at the first hurdle.
Another shock seemed on the cards after three frames on Wednesday afternoon as Hendry, eyeing his first major tournament for nearly six years, opened up with a 74 to stun the current world champion.
The Scot, who turns 42 on Thursday, wasted chances in the next but a fine 64 in the third frame set up a 2-1 lead.
The wheels soon fell off for the player who last won the Masters in 1996 as Melbourne left-hander Robertson finally found some form.
The 28-year-old has struggled over the festive period with flu but after levelling the match at 2-2 with an 85, the smoothness of his potting ensured his opponent remained in the chair for the majority of the next hour.
An 86 opened up a 3-2 lead and with Hendry continuing to struggle with his safety and long potting, Robertson edged a nervy sixth frame to get within two of the finish line.
The potting was relentless for Robertson, still eyeing his first Masters semi-final spot, and an 81 had Hendry looking thoroughly miserable with his towel covering his face.
Hendry though, well known for his battling style, survived another frame as a nerveless and impressive 49 got the score back to 5-3.
He had more chances to get right back into the match, but with his safety success plummeting below the 54% level and long-pot success just above 70%, Robertson remained in control to knock in a 48 and then a 34 to secure the victory.
Hendry rued his missed opportunities and admitted: "It could be my last chance here at the Masters if I don't buck my ideas up.
"I just need results to stay into the top 16. The Masters is for the elite players and not to be considered one of those would be hard to swallow and brings home what I need to do.
"I've still got the desire and I'm getting the chances. My form is there in practice - I hit seven centuries in nine frames last week."
Asked how he would celebrate his birthday the Scotsman, who has agreed to join the BBC commentary team for the remainder of the event, quipped: "I'll be joining the has-beens in the box."
Shaun Murphy, ranked five, and 13th seed Jamie Cope feature in the tournament's last opening round clash from 1900 GMT on Wednesday.
MASTERS FIRST ROUND DRAW/RESULTS:
Mark King 6-4 Mark Selby
Ali Carter 5-6 Peter Ebdon
Mark Williams 4-6 Ding Junhui
John Higgins 4-6 Graeme Dott
Ronnie O'Sullivan 4-6 Mark Allen
Stephen Maguire 4-6 Marco Fu
Neil Robertson 6-3 Stephen Hendry
Shaun Murphy v Jamie Cope (Wednesday from 1900 GMT)
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