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Ssb - the last goodbye?
It was April 22nd, 1986 when Stephen Hendry first walked into the Crucible arena. Today could very well be the last time he walks out.
In between he has taken snooker forward in terms of the way it is played and set down a series of achievements which mark him out as the greatest player who ever lived.
He finds himself 12-4 down overnight to Mark Selby, one of the many young players who grew up watching Hendry and now play his game better than the seven times world champion himself.
Selby even set a record of his own yesterday by becoming the first player to compile six centuries in a single match at the Crucible.
Then he won the last frame of the afternoon having needed four snookers.
Not everyone would have played on but, in fact, the colours were ideally positioned to at least give it a go.
With one red on, it's actually two snookers and a free ball, although Selby eventually got five snookers as well as giving away six points himself.
Laughably, he was accused by some of being unsporting for doing this.
Hendry for one would have been embarrassed to be merely handed a frame out of sympathy. He never showed any of his opponents any when he was destroying them.
I expect Hendry to delay any decision about retirement until after the tournament is over. Even so, he is by no means guaranteed an automatic place at the Crucible next year.
John Higgins clawed his way into a 10-5 overnight lead over Rory McLeod.
There's no doubt McLeod was trying hard. Yes, he was really trying.
Class shone through in the end, though, but Higgins has expended far more mental energy than he would have liked just to reach the quarter-finals if he does indeed come through today.
Tonight's session could be a cracker with both matches poised at 9-7.
That's the lead Stuart Bingham holds over Ding Junhui. I was impressed with Bingham's attitude last night. He came out attacking, playing positively and going for his shots and, as Ding faltered, he opened an 8-4 lead.
The dreaded interval allowed just enough time for a few doubts to creep in and suddenly he only led 8-6 and trailed 61-0 in the next.
But a superb 72 clearance to the pink gave him the frame and though Ding won the last, the match is still in the balance.
The final session will be as much a test of nerve as a test of skill. Bingham has to try and remain positive if he is to cause an upset.
Ronnie O'Sullivan's 9-5 advantage over Shaun Murphy was reduced to 9-7 by the end of their second session.
This match is bubbling up nicely and may well come properly to life this evening...13-12 has a certain ring to it.
On a final point, it is Paul Hunter day in the CueZone in Sheffield today, commemorating Paul's life and the good work of the Paul Hunter Foundation set up in his name.
Paul's father, Alan, and daughter, Evie Rose, will be in attendance.
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In between he has taken snooker forward in terms of the way it is played and set down a series of achievements which mark him out as the greatest player who ever lived.
He finds himself 12-4 down overnight to Mark Selby, one of the many young players who grew up watching Hendry and now play his game better than the seven times world champion himself.
Selby even set a record of his own yesterday by becoming the first player to compile six centuries in a single match at the Crucible.
Then he won the last frame of the afternoon having needed four snookers.
Not everyone would have played on but, in fact, the colours were ideally positioned to at least give it a go.
With one red on, it's actually two snookers and a free ball, although Selby eventually got five snookers as well as giving away six points himself.
Laughably, he was accused by some of being unsporting for doing this.
Hendry for one would have been embarrassed to be merely handed a frame out of sympathy. He never showed any of his opponents any when he was destroying them.
I expect Hendry to delay any decision about retirement until after the tournament is over. Even so, he is by no means guaranteed an automatic place at the Crucible next year.
John Higgins clawed his way into a 10-5 overnight lead over Rory McLeod.
There's no doubt McLeod was trying hard. Yes, he was really trying.
Class shone through in the end, though, but Higgins has expended far more mental energy than he would have liked just to reach the quarter-finals if he does indeed come through today.
Tonight's session could be a cracker with both matches poised at 9-7.
That's the lead Stuart Bingham holds over Ding Junhui. I was impressed with Bingham's attitude last night. He came out attacking, playing positively and going for his shots and, as Ding faltered, he opened an 8-4 lead.
The dreaded interval allowed just enough time for a few doubts to creep in and suddenly he only led 8-6 and trailed 61-0 in the next.
But a superb 72 clearance to the pink gave him the frame and though Ding won the last, the match is still in the balance.
The final session will be as much a test of nerve as a test of skill. Bingham has to try and remain positive if he is to cause an upset.
Ronnie O'Sullivan's 9-5 advantage over Shaun Murphy was reduced to 9-7 by the end of their second session.
This match is bubbling up nicely and may well come properly to life this evening...13-12 has a certain ring to it.
On a final point, it is Paul Hunter day in the CueZone in Sheffield today, commemorating Paul's life and the good work of the Paul Hunter Foundation set up in his name.
Paul's father, Alan, and daughter, Evie Rose, will be in attendance.
More...
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