Bond Beats Hendry On Re-Spotted Black
In the last frame, and with the scores tied at 48 all, Nigel Bond potted a re-spotted black to beat seven times champion Stephen Hendry 10-9.
Hendry clawed his way back from 7-3 down to win five straight frames and lead 8-7 in a remarkable turnaround.
But tied at 9-9 and with the nerves starting to jangle, Englishman Bond sank the respotted black to gain revenge for his defeat by Hendry in the 1995 final.
Afterwards, Bond said even he was shocked by the manner of his victory.
“Some incredible matches crop up at the Crucible every now and again and this was another,” he said.
“I’m just delighted to be on the winning side. Stephen has given me a few pastings and it’s payback time.”
“I was shaking when I potted the black the first time. As soon as I hit the shot I knew the white was going in.”
Hendry was literally speechless after his five-frame winning streak in the middle of the match failed to see him through to the second round.
In the post-match news conference he spoke two sentences.
Asked if it was a cruel way to lose he replied “I suppose”, before ignoring a question about his performance and just shrugging when he was asked about the table.
When asked where this defeat ranked among others in his career, he responded “Along with all the rest.”
