Date: 17 April-3 May 2010 Venue: The Crucible, Sheffield
Coverage: Live coverage each day on BBC Two, BBC Red Button and BBC Sport website (UK only), updates on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Selby was delighted as Hendry bowed out at the Crucible

Stephen Hendry has vowed to be back at the Crucible next year despite being left depressed by the quality of his own play in losing to Mark Selby.

Seven-times world champion Hendry had said he had contemplated retiring before he recovered to beat Zhang Anda in the previous round.

Asked if similar thoughts had entered his mind after Selby's 13-5 win, he said: "Right now it is.

"But I am sure, after the summer, I will be back next year."

Hendry had the chance to lead 5-2 before meekly exiting the World Championship to leave Graeme Dott as the only Scot in the competition.

But the 41-year-old did not think he had outplayed his opponent at any stage.

"The two biggest breaks were mine, but I obviously lost a bad frame at 4-2, but I am experienced enough and have played enough matches here to know that one frame does not make a difference over a 25-frame match," he said.

It's hard to play like that when you are used to so much success and playing well here Stephen Hendry

"That did not effect me too badly. The next frame I never got a chance.

"I just think the whole match, I just couldn't get as focused as I was in the last three frames of my first round. I can't seem to reproduce that frame of mind."

Selby next faces Ronnie O'Sullivan, who defeated Mark Williams 13-10, in the quarter-finals, but Hendry was reluctant to assess his victor's form going into that match.

"When your opponent's not playing, it's easy to play well," he said, explaining his depression at his own form.

"It's hard to play like that when you are used to so much success and playing well here. It is hard to put in performances like that."

Hendry did not appear to take any solace from veteran former champion Steve Davis's amazing victory over reigning champion John Higgins.

"It was a phenomenal performance in beating John," said Hendry. "I've congratulated Steve and I've told him how well he played, so there's no need for me to sit here and talk about it.

"The only part of Steve's game that I don't have is the ability to battle when you are not playing well.

"I have never had it and probably never will now. It is a bit late."

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