Sport - Billiards & Snooker

Stevens in last four

SHEFFIELD: Welshman Matthew Stevens became the first player into the World championship semifinals when he won a tense match against Stephen Hendry 13-11 on Wednesday.

Scotland's Hendry, winner of a record seven world titles, battled back from 5-1 down to lead 11-9 but Stevens won the next two frames to draw level.

The 27-year-old then claimed a scrappy 23rd frame to edge in front and clinched victory with a break of 67.

Stevens, who will make his fifth semifinal appearance at The Crucible in six years, admitted he had not needed to be at his best to beat an out-of-sorts Hendry.

``He's the best player of all time and once he starts scoring, I don't think anyone can beat him,'' Stevens said. ``But luckily for me, he didn't produce the snooker that's won him seven world titles.

Hendry believes Stevens can go on to claim his first world title.

Defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan moved to within three frames of the last four as he went 10-6 up against Peter Ebdon after two sessions of their match.

Ebdon fought back from 8-2 down, winning three frames in a row, but O'Sullivan claimed two of the last three to restore a four-frame advantage.

The results: Quarterfinals: Matthew Stevens (Wal) bt Stephen Hendry (Sco) 13-11; Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng) leads Peter Ebdon (Eng) 10-6; Alan McManus (Sco) leads Ian McCulloch (Eng) 5-3; Shaun Murphy (Eng) leads Steve Davis (Eng) 12-4. — Agencies

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