Darren Morgan cries foul after defeat

Morgan asked for Hamed to be moved from a seat reserved for the press because he claimed he was being intimidated by the fighter’s close proximity.

But even when Hamed retreated, the 30-year-old could not recapture his form and the turn-around in fortunes ultimately cost Morgan his chance to end Hendry’s five-year unbeaten run in the tournament.

“I have never met Hamed and I have nothing against him as a person,” insisted Morgan. “He may be a nice bloke for all I know. But he just walked in through the curtains with his missus and sat down right at the front.

“I just felt he was putting me off and putting Stephen into the mode he needed to be in, so I asked politely for him to be moved.

“He was tapping the table after every good shot Stephen played, although he may have been doing it for me too. But I just didn’t want him there.” Hendry denied that he knew Hamed was planning to arrive and said: “It was not a deliberate tactic.

“I don’T know how other people react to things like that but you’ve just got to concentrate on what’s happening on the table and get on with it. But I suppose you couldn’t miss him with that big silver coat on.”

Hendry was joined in the semi-finals by Canadian Alain Robidoux who ground out a 13-8 victory to end the dream run of world No 189 Lee Walker. “This is my biggest ever pay-cheque by a mile," said the 14th seed. “I will be the underdog in the semi-final but I prefer it that way to being favourite.” Robidoux will meet either Ken Doherty or John Higgins, with Irishman Doherty 9-7 up going into today’s concluding session.

James Wattana retained his overnight two-frame advantage over John Parrott, also leading 9-7 in another match played to a finish today evening.