Stephen Hendry produced a superb display of potting and break-building to end his title drought and take the Regal Welsh Open in Cardiff.

Hendry showed plenty of the form which made him world number one for so long, racking up four century breaks on his way to beating home favourite Mark Williams 9-5.

The victory secured Hendry's title since winning the European Open in Malta 13 months ago.

The 34-year-old Scot said he felt back to his very best as he pocketed the cheque for �82,500.

"It was back to the good old days," he said.

"It's not often you go to the table feeling like you'll dish up every time you get a chance but I felt fantastic all the way through."

There can't be many finals in which he's played better than that, it was frightening Beaten finalist Mark Williams

Hendry, ranked sixth, produced a blistering start, knocking in three centuries to claim a 5-2 first session lead.

The seven-times world champion constructed runs of 127, 104 and a 140 total clearanceto take his career century tally to 586 - nearly 200 more than his closest challenger, Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Hendry also knocked in breaks of 89 and 64 during a first-rate display which left Williams with it all to do going into the evening session.

The UK champion made the worst possible start as Hendry compiled century number 587, a run of 108, to lead 6-2.

Williams fought back to 6-4, but he missed a tricky blue attempting to clear up in frame 11 and Hendry sank the last three balls to go 7-4 up.

After closing to 7-5, Hendry rattled off breaks of 79 and 91 to end his losing streak against his friend.

Confidence

"Mark's a good mate and we have a laugh so now it's my turn to send text messages to wind him up like he's done to me," said Hendry.

"He's a great player and it's nice to play well against him.

"My form has been brilliant in practice all season but that doesn't mean you'll play like that in a tournament.

"From the semi-finals onwards, I felt very comfortable."

Williams said: "I'll have to switch my phone off now. I've given him so much stick when I've beaten him that he's entitled to give it back.

"I was never in it. Stephen played fantastic snooker all through the match and yet I was only a couple of shots from making it 6-6.

"There can't be many finals in which he's played better than that, it was frightening."