Hendry impressive in opening round victory

Stephen Hendry is eyeing yet another landmark as he bids to claim the Irish Masters title in Dublin this week.

Stephen Hendry is eyeing yet another landmark as he bids to claim the Irish Masters title in Dublin this week.

Hendry defeated Mark Selby 5-2 in today's first round and recorded two centuries in the process.

His runs of 125 and 108 bring his career century total up to 598, leaving Hendry just two short of the magical 600.

The 34-year-old Scot's achievement is made even more remarkable by the fact that his nearest challenger, Ronnie O'Sullivan, is languishing in second place on 318, with Steve Davis third on 290.

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"It would be nice if the 600th came in my next match but the main thing is winning and the breaks will take care of themselves," said Hendry. "I don't really want to know what the figure is because I don't want to be twitching."

Joe Perry, the world number 13, reached the last 16 in impressive style, compiling breaks of 96, 54, 77 and 66 in defeating Nick Dyson 5-1.