Hendry misses out at the death

Snooker: Seven-times former winner Stephen Hendry has been eliminated 10-9 by fellow Briton Nigel Bond in a thrilling first- …

Snooker: Seven-times former winner Stephen Hendry has been eliminated 10-9 by fellow Briton Nigel Bond in a thrilling first- round match at the world championship in the Crucible in Sheffield.

Third seed Hendry fought back from 6-3 down overnight to edge ahead 9-8 before Bond won the 18th frame to set up a tense decider which lasted 48 minutes.

Bond, who failed to qualify for the tournament in 2004 and 2005, looked to have clinched victory when he potted the black, only to go in-off. He then atoned for his error by sinking the re-spotted black.

"It was one of those incredible Crucible matches and I'm just delighted to win," Bond told reporters. "He's given me some pastings here in the past so it was pay-back time. It's definitely up there with the greatest matches I've won."

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Earlier, twice former winner and world number one Ronnie O'Sullivan beat Dave Harold 10-4.

Peter Ebdon, the 2002 champion, took a 5-4 lead over Michael Holt after their first session.

Ebdon compiled breaks of 95, 87 and 66 on his way to establishing a 4-0 advantage. But runs of 102 and 80 helped Holt win four out of the next five frames.

Crowd favourite Jimmy White, six-times a runner-up here, trailed 6-3 against David Gray.