Zhang Anda came close to causing the first upset of the 2010 World Snooker Championship narrowly losing to Stephen Hendry 10-9 after the 7 time former World Champion made a come back having gone several frames behind.

Zhang Anda’s debut performance against Stephen Hendry ended in a tense last-frame decider as the Scot made it through to the 2nd round after a determined display in the final session. Stephen Hendry was favourite to win the match and started the day with a one frame lead over the Chinese from the previous day. Hendry doubled his lead to two frames at 7-5 and looked the clear favourite for win. Zhang Anda surprised the Crucible crowds and Hendry no doubt by winning four frames back-to-back to cancel out Hendry’s earlier lead and give himself a two frame cushion. Hendry’s response was an 89 break to win the 17th frame and close the gap to a single frame but at 9-8 Zhang only needed to win a single frame to clinch an unlikely victory.

Hendry had a look of pure determindation and his manner and approach to the following frames where testament to how much the tournament means to him. He played some terrific snooker to win the last three frames and was cueing confidently. Zhang Anda had a few chances to get back in but a few mistakes but the way Hendry was playing that was all he needed. Zhang Anda looked distraught to have missed his opportunity to progress into the second round and be the legendary Stephen Hendry in his debut performance but judging by this match we’ll see a lot more of him in the future.