SNOOKER
Stephen Hendry's day began badly, got progressively worse before eventually taking a turn for the better when all looked lost.
The world number finally had something to smile about in Aberdeen last night when he overcame the unexpected stubborn resistance of journeyman Leigh Griffin.
However, Hendry's 5-4 success over the world number 143 couldn't hide the disappointment and anger he clearly feels at being brought to book by the sport's governing body.
Before going out to face Griffin the 29-year-old from Auchterarder found out from manager Ian Doyle that he must attend a disciplinary hearing in Bristol on March 4.
He will then discover whether the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association can punish him for alleged breaches of Association rules including:
''Make or cause to be made any statement (whether in writing or otherwise) or take or cause others to take any action which .... brings the game of Billiards and/or Snooker into disrepute.''
The hearing-the first of Hendry's impeccable and brilliant career-will occur 24 hours before he's due to fly to Bangkok for the start of the Thailand Masters.
It was not lost on Hendry that the WPBSA chose to reveal the date of the inquiry on the day he began his Scottish Open defence.
''It's nice of the WPBSA to serve notice on the day of my match. ''You can read into it what you like.''I always thought it was a players association. We own the company, nobody else.
''If we want to criticise something we are entitled to do so.''
Griffin, under an even darker cloud after the suicide of his girlfriend's mother, realised he'd spurned a great chance to make a name for himself.
''At times Stephen looked as though he didn't want to be out there. But he has the heart of a lion and might just go on to retain his title now.''
Hendry's World Cup winning team-mates John Higgins and Alan McManus suffered mixed fortunes.
Higgins beat Tony Chappel of Wales 5-1 but McManus went down 5-3 against Marcus Campbell of Dumbarton.Mark Williams went down 5-3 to Yorkshireman Peter Lines, the world No.90.
Jimmy White beat Graeme Dott but predicted a bright future for the Larkhall youngster. White plays Rutherglen's Drew Henry tomorrow, after a 5-4 win.
Unlucky Dott was poised to topple the six-times world championship runner-up but, in potting the last red, he cannoned the green into the yellow pocket. That enabled White to clear up with 16.
''Graeme is a good player and will win tournaments but, thankfully for me, I had a bit of luck for a change,'' said White.
Euan Henderson from Glenrothes won his all-Scottish second-round match with Edinburgh's Chris Small 5-3.
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