Snooker: Hendry beaten by former monk | The Independent (original) (raw)

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Stephen Hendry, the wWorld champion, suffered a surprise defeat in Bangkok yesterday. loosing in the first round of the Thailand Open to a former monk. Tai Pichit, the 31-year-old world amateur champion, beat him 5-2. Pichit, who next plays Darren Morgan or Mick Price for a place in the quarter-finals, was a wild card nomination for the tournament. 'He deserved to beat me - I've no complaints,' Hendry admitted. 'Tai raised his game on what was a big occasion for him. He will be up with James Wattana if he carries on like that.' Pichit led 4-0 with breaks of 45, 61, 53 and 84, Hendry came back, but was finished off by a clearance to the pink of 48. John Parrott, the world No 2, brushed aside the local idol Rom Surin 5-0 to earn a quarter-final match against either Steve James or Peter Ebdon. Dave Harold, the holder, struggled against the Canadian veteran Cliff Thorburn but he battled back from two down with three to play to win.