Drew Henry celebrates his win. (Getty Images)
KING'S REIGN MAY BE OVER
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Mark King's final appearance of the season in Sheffield on Sunday could prove to
be his last-ever game as a professional snooker player.
The world number 11 went down 10-5 to Glaswegian Drew Henry in the £1.682
million Embassy World Championship and then announced he was quitting the
sport.
``That's enough for me and I'm deadly serious,'' said the 29-year-old former
Welsh Open runner-up.
``That match just sums up my season. The run against me was relentless. I
would rather do something else.
``I've had 19 years of it and I don't care where I am in the rankings. I've
got a lovely wife and two lovely kids but all this just stresses me out.
``I'll do labouring - anything - because I've had enough of the game.
``I will be able to spend more time with the family and I can't wait.''
Ironically in his programme biography King admitted if he hadn't become a
snooker pro he would be a carpet fitter or a plasterer.
He was understandably upset by a defeat that cost him his place in the top 16.
But by his own admission world number 22 Henry enjoyed all the moments of good
fortune.
He fluked an outrageous pink to go 5-2 ahead during the opening session on
Saturday night.
And on three other occasions Hendry stole frames in black ball finishes. King
stayed in contention with breaks of 85 and 87 to trail only 7-5.
But 'Dame Fortune' smiled on the Scot prompting King's decision to hang up his
cue.
``Everything went my way,'' said the Rutherglen based professional.
``I had all the luck on my side and that won me the game above anything.
``It was a terrible fluke on that pink and what made it worse for Mark was I
got straight on the black.
``But you have got to take it when it comes because there are so many other
times when it goes against you.''
Henry now hopes Stephen Hendry can win four more frames this evening against
Gary Wilkinson to set-up an all-Tartan second round meeting.
``Some players might not want to play Stephen at the Crucible but I'd love to.
Besides they are all tough games at this stage of the tournament,'' Henry
added.
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