Welsh Open snooker: Stephen Hendry loses to Ross Muir in qualifying as Gary Wilson, Graeme Dott and Si Jiahui advance

Updated 26/01/2024 at 09:44 GMT

Stephen Hendry won the Welsh Open in 1992, 1997 and 2003, but could not turn back the clock to qualify for the last 64 on Thursday. The seven-time world champion produced a break of 52 to level at 2-2, but lost the final two frames to fellow Scotsman Ross Muir, who had lost 5-1 to John Higgins in a qualifier for the World Open on Wednesday. Gary Wilson also advanced with 4-1 win over Mark Davis.

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Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry suffered a 4-2 defeat to fellow Scotsman Ross Muir in qualifying for the Welsh Open on Thursday.

Hendry has yet to win any of his five matches this season playing under a wildcard and lost the final two frames to world No. 87 Muir at the Barnsley Metrodome after producing a break of 52 to level the contest at 2-2.

World No. 16 Gary Wilson recovered from his 5-4 defeat to Stuart Carrington in qualifying for the World Open by overcoming three-time Six Red world champion Mark Davis 4-1.

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The Scottish Open champion rolled in 57, 74 and 64 breaks to advance to the finals venue at Venue Cymru in Llandudno next month (February 12-18) with 'The Milkman' Robert Milkins defending the title he won last year with a 9-7 win over Shaun Murphy.

Elsewhere, 2023 World Championship semi-finalist Si Jiahui completed a 4-2 win over former UK and Tour champion Stephen Maguire with Si producing knocks of 85, 71, 53 and 67 to book his trip to the tournament.

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And 2006 world champion Graeme Dott showed all of his trademark grit as he fought back from trailing 2-0 to Pang Junxu, who compiled 103 in the second frame and 73 in the sixth frame before Dott edged the decider to secure his qualifying spot.

Former Masters and UK champion Matthew Stevens hit two brilliant centuries of 137 and 120 in a 4-3 win over Louis Heathcote that also saw him make 71 in the third frame from 60-0 behind and trailing 2-0.

World No. 1 Ronnie O'Sullivan and the rest of the world's top 16 on the ranking list after the Scottish Open last month are due to begin their respective campaigns at the finals venue on Monday, February 12.