Hendry regains top four spot but needs one more point - 20/11/2008

STEPHEN Hendry took another step towards the semi-finals of the 2008 PartyPoker.com Premier League Snooker tournament.

Stephen Hendry

Hendry claimed a 3-3 draw against Ronnie O'Sullivan and now only has to avoid defeat against Ding Junhui in the final round of league matches at the Glades Arena, Kidderminster on November 27.

O'Sullivan, who had won the Premier League title in the last four seasons, had already secured his place in the final four earlier in the evening without potting a ball at the Sands Centre in Carlisle.

Joe Perry's 4-2 success over John Higgins meant O'Sullivan could not finish outside of the top four and he will be aiming to win the title again in the play-offs, which will be held at the Potters Leisure Resort in Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk in earlier December.

Hendry had started his campaign with two successive defeats but has rediscovered his form at the right moment.

O'Sullivan, who had won the Premier League title in the last four seasons, had already secured his place in the final four earlier in the evening without potting a ball at the Sands Centre in Carlisle.

Joe Perry's 4-2 success over John Higgins meant O'Sullivan could not finish outside of the top four and he will be aiming to win the title again in the play-offs, which will be held at the Potters Leisure Resort in Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk in earlier December.

Hendry had started his campaign with two successive defeats but has rediscovered his form at the right moment.

O'Sullivan will meet either Mark Selby or Joe Perry in the semi-finals but has not been at his best against them this season.

The Rocket suffered a 2-4 defeat against Perry earlier in the competition and only gained a 3-3 draw against Selby. However, O'Sullivan, who has won the last four Premier Leagues, insisted he would fear no one in the semi-finals.

"You can't look at avoiding people, you just have to back yourself against whoever is in front of you and let them worry about you," said O'Sullivan.

Whenever I play I'm competitive - even when I'm practising. You want to play well and win and master the game. I just want to perform well and I have pride in my performance."

Hendry stormed into a 3-1 lead and recorded his first century break of the Premier League season with an excellent 108 break in the second frame.

However, O'Sullivan fought back to win the last two frames of the night to claim a 3-3 draw against Hendry. However, the Scot will join O'Sullivan in the semi-finals if he avoids defeat against Ding next week.

Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-3 Stephen Hendry
53-66 (O'Sullivan 34, Hendry 35), 1-109 (Hendry 108), 77-17 (O'Sullivan 64), 37-73 (O'Sullivan 36, Hendry 72), 94-36 (O'Sullivan 68, Hendry 36), 66-42 (O'Sullivan 30)