Hendry's last world title success came three years ago but the 30-year-old Scot has proved over the last two weeks that he is still a big force.

Williams has yet to show the sort of form which enabled him to beat Ronnie O'Sullivan 17-10 in the semi-finals. And his hopes of becoming the first Welshman to win the title since 1979 are fading fast in this best-of-35-frame final.

Hendry won the first two frames with breaks of 62 and 98. He won a scrappy third frame to edge further ahead and after trailing 56-4 in the fourth frame, he compiled a 77 break to establish a 4-0 lead at the mid-session interval.

Williams got off the mark in the fifth frame before Hendry regained his four-frame advantage with a break of 86. But Williams ended the afternoon on a high note, winning the last two framesof the session.

Hendry came from behind to win the opening frame of the evening with a break of 77. And he went further in front with a 76 break in the next frame. The first century of the match came in the 12th frame when Hendry produced a 132 clearance.

Williams missed several good potting chances while in front, allowing Hendry to maintain his advantage.

Hendry won the last two frames of the evening, finishing with a break of 92, to move closer to the 230,000 pounds first prize.