Hendry into semis at PTC12

In an encounter which was rarely fluent, Hendry battled to a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven clash in the Event Forum in Furstenfeldbruck.

But Holt came back, reeling off three frames in a row before Hendry forced a decider.

It looked as if Hendry might have spurned his best chance when he pocketed the cue ball potting a long early red in the final frame, but he was given another opportunity and produced a match-best break of 81 to reach the last four.

He will now face an all-Scottish showdown against Stephen Maguire after the in-form Maguire won twice in one day, first dismissing David Gray 4-1 before dismantling Andrew Higginson without dropping a frame.

Martin Gould also won two matches to reach the semi-final, shading successive ties 4-3, first beating David Grace in the last 16 before edging out Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen.

Joe Perry ended the challenge of Ricky Walden with a 4-1 victory to set up a clash against Gould for a place in the final.

The semi-finals and final of the tournament take place on Sunday.

David Grace 3-4 Martin Gould

Stephen Maguire 4-1 David Gray

Martin Gould 4-3 Mark Allen

Joe Perry 4-1 Ricky Walden

Stephn Hendry 4-3 Michael Holt

Stephen Maguire 4-0 Andrew Higginson