Stephen Hendry on Ronnie O'Sullivan title bid: It would be 'honour' to share Crucible world snooker record

Ronnie O’Sullivan has taken snooker to «a new level» since turning professional in 1992, according to seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry. Hendry heaped praise on his old foe after watching the record 38-time ranking event winner complete a 13-5 triumph in the quarter-finals against Stephen Maguire on Wednesday morning, finishing off in style with breaks of 71 and 126 having led 11-5 overnight.

Ad/> O'Sullivan has overtaken Hendry as the most prolific winner in Crucible history – completing a 72nd win from 95 matches with the Scotsman on 70 from 90 – in reaching the celebrated one-table set-up for a 13th time at the sport's blue-chip event. World ChampionshipO'Sullivan wraps up win over Maguire in 19 minutes to reach semis3 HOURS AGO The world No.

1 will face John Higgins or Jack Lisowski in the semi-finals on Thursday, Friday and Saturday knowing two more victories at the tournament will see him draw level with Hendry on seven world titles. «It would be an honour for me to share seven with him, it really would because he's taken snooker to a new level,» said Hendry, winner of the sport's biggest event in 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1999.

«That last frame this morning, you can't play snooker better than that. »He’s just supreme in all departments.