By Dan Warren BBC Sport at The Crucible

Match report

Stephen Hendry admitted he was simply outclassed by superb Ronnie O'Sullivan, as the seven-time champion was sent crashing to a record 17-4 defeat.

"There was nothing I could do. You beat Ronnie by putting him under pressure, but I was not able to do that. He was too good," said Hendry.

"He's a real front-runner. I had a few half-chances, but nothing much.

"You have to sit there and admire the way the guy plays. If you don't put him under pressure he'll run all over you."

But Hendry insisted he could yet win an eighth world title, despite his thrashing

"I was beaten by the better player over three days. It's not as if I have gone, or that it's the end of my career by any stretch," he said.

And the Scot admitted that he could not see anyone stopping O'Sullivan lifting a second world crown.