Hendry looks to be back to his best after a spell in the doldrums

Hendry, who held a narrow 4-3 lead after the afternoon session, allowed Dott to level at 7-7 before pulling clear in the final two frames.

The seven-time world champion's experience shone through as he closed out the match.

But Dott never stopped battling and pushed Hendry hard in the final frame.

Hendry's last ranking tournament success was at the 2003 British Open.

Hendry got off to a blistering start in the first session, taking the opening two frames with breaks of 92 and 114.

I was so relieved when Graeme missed the blue Stephen Hendry

Dott, who had been in excellent form on his way to the final, refused to be intimidated and hit back with breaks of 56 and 73 to level at 2-2.

The pair shared the next two frames before Hendry edged out his opponent in the last of the session.

Dott came out fighting after the break and took the eighth frame comfortably.

Hendry responded with another century break in the ninth and looked to be heading for a comfortable victory as he moved 7-4 ahead.

Dott fought back with some excellent matchplay snooker to bring the score back to 7-7, but he could never get his nose in front.

In what proved to be the final frame, Dott came within a missed blue of forcing a one-frame shootout.

"When Graeme was mopping up the colours I was convinced it was going to be 8-8. I was so relieved when he missed the blue," said Hendry.

"At 7-4 I was cruising but at the end it could have swung either way. I'm delighted with this because over the week I've played very well.

"I've turned things around and I'll leave here a winner."