Snooker: World champion Stephen Hendry set up a crucial clash with old rival Steve Davis after ending Stephen Lee's interest in the Liverpool Victoria Champions Cup in Croydon.

Hendry's first match in Group B since Sunday saw him defeat Grand Prix champion Lee 4-2 in a top-quality contest.

World number six Lee cannot now qualify for the last four but his Scottish stablemate has every chance.

"Had I lost the pressure would really have been on me against Steve," agreed world number two Hendry.

"It was a very high-standard match and even though it's early in the season all the top players look to be in good form.

"Because of the format you cannot really afford to go 2-0 down so I was pleased to make a good clearance to get it back to 1-1.

"There are one or two things that need tinkering with but generally everyone seems happy with the tournament.

"It's a bit different to the normal run-of-the-mill ranking tournaments. We need to spice up the game and events like this will help."

Hendry jumped from fourth to the top of Group B after beating Lee and is just ahead of Davis on frames difference.

He trailed 1-0 and 2-1 after Lee compiled a 139 clearance in frame three - the highest of the tournament so far.

But there is no additional cash bonus for the high break, just a winner-takes-all £175,000 first prize.

Hendry levelled with a run of 80 and then outscored his Wiltshire rival 218-0 in the final two frames.

Earlier, Ken Doherty kept in touch for a top-two finish by inflicting a first defeat of the campaign on Davis.

The former world champion from Dublin won 4-2 and must beat Mark Williams later today to reach the semi-finals.

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