STEPHEN Hendry, bidding to win the UK Snooker Championship for a record equalling sixth time, was disgruntled after battling to victory in York yesterday.

The seven-times world champion was unhappy with the playing area at York's Barbican Leisure Centre.

"It is disappointing to have to play in a squash court," he said, referring to the four-table lay-out with each table walled on three sides.

"This is supposed to be the second most important event on the snooker calendar, but it is like qualifying round conditions out there.

"I promised myself I would not moan this season and had I just lost I would not have said anything, but now I am moaning."

Bruce Beckett, World Snooker head of media relations, responded in a statement: "At the request of our members - the players - the second round matches were restored to the best of 17 frames format rather than best of nine. All of them, including Stephen Hendry, were consulted either personally or through their management company.

"It was felt that playing best of nine in the second biggest world ranking tournament of the season would have devalued the UK Championship and put the top seeds at greater risk of going out before the television stage.

"This caused something of an organisational headache and meant that we had to switch."

Updated: 12:37 Friday, December 07, 2001