Hendry beat O'Sullivan in the recent British Open final

The Scot will now meet Matthew Stevens as he goes in search of his second successive title.

Hendry, the seven-times world champion, won the British Open in Brighton earlier this month.

Welshman Stevens reached the final by beating Jimmy White in the first semi-final on Friday.

Doyle: Hendry back to best

"I won every frame in one visit and when you're doing that there's nothing the other guy can do about it, no matter who he is," said Hendry.

"I'm playing great - I couldn't be happier with my game.

"I had a bit of luck as well in the first session but you get that when you're playing well and you have to enjoy it while it lasts."

Hendry led 6-2 after the opening session only for O'Sullivan to close the gap to just two frames, the Englishman completing a 138 total clearance in frame nine, his 12th century of the tournament.

That's the way it goes... that's snooker Ronnie O'Sullivan

But Hendry claimed the next with breaks of 74 and 53 before restoring his four-frame advantage with a break of 65 in the next.

The Scot then wrapped up victory with a break of 109.

O'Sullivan was bitterly disappointed and was able to utter only a few words at his post-match press conference.

"That's the way it goes. That's snooker," he said.

Hendry's victory means he becomes the first player to appear in UK finals in three separate decades.

He was beaten 16-12 by Doug Mountjoy in 1988, won the title in 1990 and 1991 and from 1994-1996 and was runner-up to O'Sullivan in 1993 and 1997.

To equal Steve Davis' record of six UK titles, Hendry must now overcome in-form Stevens.

Frame scores
S HENDRY (Sco) 9-4 R O'SULLIVAN (Eng)
76-2 (67) 119-8 (118) 11-94 (94) 25-59 85-5 (85) 84-5 (84) 74-0 (66) 80-1 (71) 0-138 (138) 0-89 (85) 127-0 (74,53) 67-36 (65) 115-1 (109)