SHEFFIELD, April 20: Seven-time former winner Stephen Hendry was eliminated 10-9 by fellow Briton Nigel Bond in a thrilling first-round match at the world championship on Wednesday.

Third seed Hendry fought back from 6-3 down overnight to edge ahead 9-8 before Bond won the 18th frame to set up a tense decider which lasted 48 minutes.

Bond, who failed to qualify for the tournament in 2004 and 2005, looked to have clinched victory when he potted the black, only to go in-off. He then atoned for his error by sinking the re-spotted black.

Bond, who failed to qualify for the tournament in the last two years, told reporters: “It was one of those incredible Crucible matches and I'm just delighted to win.

“He's given me some pastings here in the past so it was pay-back time. It's definitely up there with the greatest matches I've won.”

Hendry took the defeat badly, uttering only six words in the post-match news conference.

Twice former winner and world number one Ronnie O'Sullivan comfortably beat Dave Harold 10-4 to reach the second round.

“He was always going to be a tough opponent so I'm relieved to get through,” O'Sullivan told reporters. “I'm pleased with the way I played.”

Former champion Peter Ebdon came through a tough test against Michael Holt, winning 10-8, while Ryan Day posted a 7-2 lead over Joe Perry at the end of their opening session.

Crowd favourite Jimmy White, who has been a losing finalist on six occasions, was 6-3 down against David Gray.Wednesday’s results:

First round (best of 19 frames): Peter Ebdon (England) bt Michael Holt (England) 10-8 (66-42, 136-0, 95-5, 69-34, 43 -61, 17-102, 38-58, 79-1, 37-80, 79-12, 85-1, 54-25, 40-65, 1-81, 42-73, 26-84, 62-18, 65-20); Nigel Bond (England) bt Stephen Hendry (Scotland) 10-9 (43-80, 56-26, 75-0, 46-63, 84-6, 71-14, 62-18, 82-16, 13-65, 66-65, 53-56, 27-74, 44-62, 20-69, 6-70, 103-7, 5-74, 61-27, 55-48); Ronnie O'Sullivan (England) bt Dave Harold (England) 10-4 (113-14, 87-40, 80-14, 73-40, 139-0, 86-12, 86-0, 0-80, 61-69, 66-46, 100-0, 6-94, 62-76, 93-0). —Reuters