Snooker legend Stephen Hendry could hide his anger after watching Si Jiahui's defeat to Mark Selby at the Tour Championship in Manchester.
11:30, Sun, Apr 6, 2025 Updated: 11:31, Sun, Apr 6, 2025
Stephen Hendry was left livid with that he saw (Image: Getty)
Stephen Hendry has admitted that he threw his microphone down during commentary after watching Si Jiahui's elect for a safety shoot during his match against Mark Selby in the Tour Championship. Selby won the tie 10-6 at Manchester Central on Tuesday.
While Hendry, 56, couldn't stomach Si's absence of aggression and positivity, it perhaps wasn't such a surprise given that the 22-year-old has never beaten the four-time world champion. However, despite his poor record against Selby, Hendry could not believe how many shots the 2023 Crucible semi-finalist was refusing to play and instead opting to play safe.
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"Si Jiahui will be disappointed," Hendry told ITV4. "At times he didn’t look like he belonged in that company, such was his shot choice. He didn’t look on it, focussed, look like he belonged at that table with Mark Selby.
"Some of the shots he refused, there were some strange shot choices, for me. I don’t know if he’s thinking about the shots that everyone thinks he should play, rather than just committing to the shot that he wants. He had enough chances."
Making reference to a moment when Si refused to go for a red, instead electing to play a poor safety shot, which then allowed Selby back in the game, Hendry revealed he was at breaking point.
"How can you not go for the pot there? I know it’s not easy, but you have to play the pot surely," he added. "This one, I was in the commentary box, I threw the mic down, how can you not play that red to the right corner?
Hendry was annoyed with Si Jiahui's safety first execution (Image: Getty)
"It’s not a gimme, I’m not saying it’s an easy, easy shot, but in the end he doesn’t even play a good safety. Mark Selby pots the red off it. You’ve got to attack."
While Si is one of the game's brightest stars, he has a vulnerability to his game as shown by just qualifying for the Tour Championship, which only features the top 12 on the one-year ranking list.
Selby later gave his take on Si's development. "He’s still very, very raw," said Selby. "But it’s tough because if you take that away from him then he doesn’t become as dangerous.
"When he is playing well and flying then nothing’s safe. He’s only young, I’m sure he’ll learn and he’ll be one to watch for the future."
Mark Selby will face John Higgins in the final (Image: Getty)
Selby is now into the final of the competition after he cruised to a 10-2 win over China's Ding Junhui in the semi-final. He will face John Higgins on Sunday, with the winner picking up £150,000 in prize money.
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"I've been doubting myself for a little while, but I'm trying to up the tempo and get on with it a bit when I see the shot - and it seems to be working so far," Selby told ITV after his win over Junhui.
"I felt in control of myself all the way through the match," he added. "I'm going for my shots, and fancy them which is a good place to be."