Scottish snooker hero Stephen Hendry has been glowing in his praise of Zhang Anda.

Anda, who has been known in the sport as the Mighty Mouse due to his tiny 5ft3 frame, has enjoyed a sensational improvement in form of the past two seasons - twice making it to the Masters after reaching the top 16. And ahead of his clash with world champion Kyren Wilson, Hendry piled praise on the 33-year-old, but admitted he doesn't know why it took him so long to make his talent show. When asked what the secret was to Anda's improvement the BBC pundit said: "I haven’t got a clue. Where has he been?

"That season last season was incredible. I just love his style, if you watch him when he’s potting balls every single one of them goes in the middle of the pocket. He’s so accurate, he’s unassuming around the table but his temperament and talent are fantastic."

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After turning pro in 2009, it wasn't until 2023/24 that Anda started to make his mark on the sport; winning the International Championship and making the final of both the English Open and Players' Championship. However that Players' Championship showcase certainly wasn't one Hendry enjoyed, as he savaged the spectacle put on by Anda and Northern Irishman Mark Allen.

The outspoken seven time world champion said: "I have to say as a review - because I remember working on it - it was probably the worst final I've ever watched. The worst final I've ever seen, it was horrendous. But at the end of the day, you win a trophy. I've played in some shocking matches in my career, and won, but that was a tough watch."

Allen came out on top in 10-8 in Telford after over seven hours of playing time, as he recovered from a 3-0 deficit to claim his 11th ranking title. It wasn't the first time Allen's style had faced criticism however, and he revealed during the Masters that he had worked to speed up his game once again.