Snooker: Williams draws strength from win

Stephen Hendry insists his British Open final defeat by Mark Williams in Plymouth on Saturday will have no bearing on the outcome of their potential Embassy World Championship meeting.

However, Williams, who inflicted Hendry's heaviest defeat in a final with a remarkable 9-2 victory, regards the result as "a psychological boost".

"This match probably won't be on Stephen's mind at Sheffield, but if we meet, it will be on mine for sure," said the 22-year-old from Ebbw Vale, who is seeded to play Hendry in the second round at The Crucible.

Hendry may have been adamant the prospect of tackling Williams over the best of 25 frames does not intimidate him, but the Scot did admit he was feeling the affects of a gruelling schedule recently.

"I need a few days rest before starting my preparation for Sheffield. It wasn't me out there. I had nothing left in the tank and Mark took advantage," said Hendry, who launches his bid for a seventh world title on 19 April.