Hendry not ruling out world title

GRAND PRIX
Venue: Kelvin Hall, Glasgow Date: Saturday 3 October-Sunday 11 October Coverage: BBC Two, BBC Red Button, BBC Sport website

Stephen Hendry believes that he can win another world title but has targeted breaking back into the top eight in the world as his priority this season.

The 40-year-old Scot was speaking after beating Matthew Selt 5-2 in the Grand Prix first round in Glasgow.

Asked if he could win again, Hendry told BBC Scotland: "Definitely.

"I thought I had a good chance last season. I got to the quarter-finals and lost to Shaun Murphy in a match that I could easily have won. It was 13-11."

Seven-time world champion Hendry, who is looking for his fifth Grand Prix title, insists he is happy with his game despite the length of time since his last tournament win.

"I still believe I am good enough to be playing at the very top and 10 is nowhere near where I would expect myself to be"

"It's just that I've not been getting the results because of a bit of confidence you get from a run of victories," he said.

"I've been stuttering and starting and that has not been enough to get me going."

Hendry is hopeful of making good progress and is hoping for a kind draw on Tuesday.

"I believe five out of the top eight players have already lost - it's been a bit of a graveyard," he said.

"I obviously can't count my chickens as all I've done is win my first match.

"Having not won a tournament for four or five years does not suggest I'm the form person - John Higgins and Ronnie O'Sullivan are the men to beat.

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"But, with it being an FA Cup-style draw, you can play anyone in the next round and I definitely have more tournament wins in me."

Hendry is presently ranked 10th in the world and is hoping to improve on that.

"I was number one for eight years in a row in the 90s, but my main aim is to get back into the top eight at the very least," he said.

"I still believe I am good enough to be playing at the very top and 10 is nowhere near where I would expect myself to be."

The draw for the last 16 will be made live on BBC Two at 1330 BST on Tuesday 6 October.

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