Mark Selby beat Si Jiahui 10-6 in the Tour Championship on Tuesday and while the youngster is one of the game's brightest stars, Stephen Hendry was not impressed
12:46, 06 Apr 2025
Snooker legend Stephen Hendry threw his commentary microphone in anger after watching Si Jiahui opt for a safety shot against Mark Selby in the Tour Championship last week.
Selby secured a 10-6 victory at Manchester Central on Tuesday. The 56-year-old snooker icon said he was irked by Si's lack of attacking play. While the 22-year-old has never bested four-time world champion Selby, Hendry expected more.
He admitted he was taken aback by the sheer number of opportunities the 2023 Crucible semi-finalist passed up, choosing to play it safe instead. Speaking to ITV4, Hendry didn't mince words.
"Si Jiahui will be disappointed," Hendry said. "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."
Recalling a specific moment when Si chose not to attempt a red and instead played a subpar safety shot, allowing Selby to regain control, Hendry confessed that he could not contain his anger, reports the Express.
"How can you not go for the pot there? I know it's not easy, but you have to play the pot surely," he said. "This one, I was in the commentary box, I threw the mic down, how can you not play that red to the right corner?
"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."
Despite being one of the game's brightest talents, Si has shown his vulnerability, as evidenced by him just scraping into the Tour Championship, reserved solely for the top 12 in the one-year ranking list.
Selby also shared his thoughts on Si's game after their clash. "He's still very, very raw," he said. "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."
Selby will now face John Higgins on Sunday, where a hefty £150,000 prize awaits the champion, after he beat China's Ding Junhui, 10-2 in the semi-final.
"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," he told ITV after the semi-final.
"I felt in control of myself all the way through the match. I'm going for my shots, and fancy them which is a good place to be."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.