High-flying Hendry sees off Ding

Stephen Hendry turned on the style as he defeated Ding Junhui 13-10 in a scintillating clash to make the World Championship quarter-finals.

The pair were level after the opening two sessions but the Scot knocked in a 140 to equal the tournament's top break and then an 86 to lead by three.

China's top cueman hit back with a fine 32, before Hendry won the next, but a 121 break had Ding sniffing a comeback.

Hendry showed a few late wobbles but a stunning safety shot earned his win.

"It was a fantastic match, I'm delighted to win, delighted with how I played throughout the match, especially tonight," said Hendry.

"I came out tonight and it was as good as I've played this season. Credit to Ding, I was in front this afternoon and he came back, and tonight he looked as if he was coming back again."

The match was a fascinating battle throughout with the first and second session being shared equally at 4-4 and 8-8.

In front of a packed and enthralled Crucible audience, both had chances in the night's opener and an unlucky in-off enabled Hendry to win the frame after a magnificent yellow.

Hendry, world champion in 1990, 1992-96 and 1999, was on a roll and a sloppy safety shot from Ding let him in again as he knocked in a breathtaking 140 to equal Ronnie O'Sullivan's effort earlier in the week.

It was also Hendry's 1000th frame played at The Crucible.

A break of 86 gave him a three-frame lead, but Ding looked determined not to suffer an early exit and he made a fantastic break of 32 which included a number of extraordinary pots.

Read in full at the BBC