28 March 2023 , 13:16
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Stephen Hendry will begin his long road back to the Crucible against James Cahill - who once claimed he was snubbed by the snooker legend despite the pair previously being related.
Seven-time Crucible king Hendry became accustomed to lifting the World Championship trophy during his incredible era of dominance in the 1990s.
But this year, in the third season of an underwhelming comeback to the sport after eight years retired, the 54-year-old Scot must overcome an intriguing first hurdle of a possible four qualifying matches before reaching the iconic Sheffield theatre.
World No.96 James Cahill, 27, is the son of Hendry’s ex-wife Mandy's sister. And the Blackpool pro stunned the Crucible crowd four years ago by beating Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-8 in the first round.
That came just a few months after knocking four-time world champion Mark Selby out of the UK Championship in another seismic shock. Before that memorable victory over O’Sullivan, Cahill admitted that despite having such a famous snooker uncle, Hendry had played very little part in his development.
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Asked if Hendry had helped him back in 2019, he said: “He was married to my auntie. Not really, I’ve asked him to help me a couple of times but he just didn’t seem interested, to put it bluntly.”
Cahill created a seismic Crucible shock when he beat Ronnie O'Sullivan in the first round in 2019 (Visual China Group via Getty Images)And speaking in the immediate aftermath of the draw, Cahill said: “He didn’t have anything to do with my coaching. I did have a few practice sessions with him when I was maybe 14 or 15. I’m glad he is not as good as he used to be!
“But that’s joking - seriously, he can clearly still play and knows all the shots. I will have to play very well to beat him. I am never bothered who I play, it’s how I play. I have shown that I can beat top players. I am confident in any game if I am playing well.”
The winner of Hendry and Cahill will play Lei Peifan, with Zhou Yuelong next, and then probably either Liam Highfield or Elliot Slessor in a gruelling journey to the Crucible.
Hendry has not won a match all season but needs four wins to make the Crucible (VCG via Getty Images)But that is just one of many fascinating ties in the draw, that includes former world champion Ken Doherty taking on 12-times women’s world champion Reanne Evans.
The two are good friends and regularly appear in the TV studios and on the exhibition circuit together. Last year Doherty lost 4-3 in his British Open qualifier to Ng On Yee, also a former women’s world champion.
Meanwhile, 16-year-old Stan Moody from Halifax, winner of the WSF Junior Championship, will meet Estonia’s Andres Petrov. And women’s world No1 Mink Nutcharut will face a Thai derby against Dechawat Poomjaeng.