Hendry Doing the Delia!
Seven-times World Champion Stephen Hendry issued his own version of Delia Smith's famous "Let's Be Having You!" rant by calling for Scottish snooker fans to flock to the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow today and give him the edge for his mouthwatering clash with Mark Williams.
Defending champion and local hero, John Higgins got a rousing Scottish reception from a packed house yesterday and went on to beat world number one, Ronnie O’Sullivan 5-4. Fellow Scot, Hendry hopes for the same backing for his match against twice World Champion Williams, which starts at 1pm.
In 2005, celebrity chef, Delia marched onto the pitch at Carrow Road with a microphone shouting "Lets' be having you!" in an attempt to get the crowd behind her beloved Norwich City.
"I saw John’s match today and he had a great crowd behind him, it seemed like a fantastic atmosphere,” said legend Hendry. “It gives you a boost when you get that kind of support so hopefully I'll have the same. Mark looked on top form in his first match so it's sure to be tough but I'll be focussed on the game and hopefully I'll play well."
Hendry and Williams have a long history in the game, competing in Masters and World finals, with Hendry winning their last battle in Sheffield earlier this year. The pair are great freinds off the table and with text message bragging rights up for grabs, there is more than just a quarter-final place at stake.
In the afternoon's other quarter-final, Peter Ebdon takes on Mark Davis, with Glasgow’s Stephen Maguire facing China’s Ding Junhui and Robert Milkins and Mark King going head-to-head in the evening.
