Snooker:STEPHEN HENDRY summoned nerves of steel to win the last three frames and take a thrilling, 10-9 victory over the qualifier Mark Allen from Northern Ireland in the first round of the World Championships yesterday at Sheffield.

The 39-year-old Scot resumed 6-3 behind, but won the first three frames of the session.

Hendry won the 10th frame on the black despite needing two snookers when Allen carelessly missed the final brown.

"That gave Stephen a lot of a confidence," an emotional Allen said. "If I had gone 7-3 ahead it would have been different and maybe I could have relaxed a little bit."

Things went from bad to worse for the former world amateur champion later when referee Michaela Tabb called a foul when the player's waistcoat brushed a red as he stretched to pot the black while on a break of 57.

The 22-year-old bounced back to win the next two frames, the latter with a typically dashing 89 to lead 8-6. An exchange of frames left Allen two up with three to play.

Hendry closed to 9-8, but then found himself two pots from defeat, only for Allen to fluff a pink trying to force an angle for the final red.

With all the icy calm he showed in winning his seven titles Hendry cleared with 55 for a black-ball win and made 72 in the decider to go through to the last 16.

Former multiple champion Steve Davis arrived out of the running for a place in the top 16 - but the 50-year-old's 28th challenge proved none the less remarkable for that.

Trailing 8-3 to Stuart Bingham he racked up five frames in a row to level the match. But, after a long bout of safety in the 17th frame, Davis potted the pink only to leave the black for Bingham to stand on the brink of victory.