The Hendry - O'Sullivan match!

[JPK123]

This might work for non-UK viewers (I hope )

mms://wm.bbc.co.uk/news/media/avdb/sport/video/70000/bb/70210_16x9_bb.wmv

[Ellena]

EUROSPORT:

Ronnie O'Sullivan stunned the UK Championship on Thursday when he walked-out of his quarter-final against Stephen Hendry after just five frames.

O'Sullivan was 4-1 down when ran out of position after potting a black in the sixth frame when leading 24-0.

He missed a half-hearted attempt at a red in to the corner before shaking his opponent's hand and walking out of the arena.

It meant Hendry went through to the semi-finals as a default 9-1 winner and will play either Steve Davis or Graeme Dott on Saturday.

"I did speak to him [on his way out], and asked him whether anything was wrong," tournament director Mike Ganley said on the BBC afterwards.

"He said 'no', confirmed he had conceded the match and left the building.

"There was no inkling at all. They have gone out, played the first five frames and shocked us all.

"He is perfectly within his rights to concede. It is difficult for me to comment on the cirucmstances, but he obviously felt he could not continue, and that's where we are.

"There may be reasons for it that we are not aware of at the moment."

A stunned Hendry admitted the incident was "bizarre".

He told BBC2: "Ronnie's obviously got his reasons and I'm not going to criticise him.

"He just said he had had enough and wished me good luck for the rest of the tournament - only he knows what he feels inside.

"I can't criticise someone else for that - but I've never seen anything like it."

[PaulTheSoave]

I HAVE MISSED ALL THE DRAAAAAAAAMAAAAAAAAAA!!!

I knew something was going to happen!

[Black_cat]

I am hurt, disappointed and frustrated. Hope he's fine. Because hope dies last.
What an ugly outcome. Stephen played great but it was yet so early...
I am so hurt.
Feel free to mock me.

[cueman]

To be quite honest nothing surprises me with O'Sullivan in these longer matches anymore. I got the feeling after the way Hendry was clearing up after O'Sullivan's mistakes that Ronnie lost his head altogether and realised that he couldn't compete with Hendry in that kind of form.
I think he decided not to put up a fight and handed victory simply because he wasn't interested. I'd like to think that there was something wrong with Ronnie but fact is he is a terrible loser and hates to lose to certain individuals in the game.

Personally, I think after all the things he has said and done in the past that this is the final straw for him. Even the most ardent of supporters must question whether its worth travelling and paying good money if this is the kind of attitude Ronnie is going to show in the future. I don't see that he has a future in the sport and its a sad day for snooker that we have possibly and probably seen the last of Ronnie on a snooker table.

[edinmis]

very shocked...

[PaulTheSoave]

A Hendry - Davis semi on saturday! My dream comes true!

[BackChat]

For a start ronnie wasnt playing well ,you could sence something was wrong ,maybe he was upset he wasnt playing anywhere near like he knows he can.Who knows what goes on in his head.Lets just pray he dosnt quit for good.

[Black_cat]

I don't see that he has a future in the sport and its a sad day for snooker that we have possibly and probably seen the last of Ronnie on a snooker table.

Not yet, I think. I hope. I wish.
I still have my recordings, fortunately.

[Caroline]

Anyhow I do feel for Ronnie as far as he has depression problem all the time which we know. Anyone can tell me by what exact time his father is to come out from prison?

[hegeland]

Working on a copy of the game, will be available shortly.

[PaulTheSoave]

Statman has gone off line! I think he has fainted!

[DeadQueen]

What a bizarre match. I'm sure he had his reasons, whatever they may be.

[JPK123]

This is the moment, and the fallout from the BBC .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlNPIC8bC9k

[Ellena]

From BBC

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/othe...er/6180591.stm