Stephen Hendry is just two matches away from claiming his first ranking title in 45 months thanks to a 5-2 defeat of Robert Milkins at the Bahrain Snooker Championship.

"I played pretty well again, I only missed a few shots," said Hendry, who has proved the favourite of the crowd in Bahrain. "Rob made a fast start so it was good to get level quickly, and get the second and third frames without giving him a shot."

The opening three frames were an exhibition in break building, with a century in each. Milkins kicked off proceedings with a 137 but Hendry responded in style with back to back tons, 113 and 132. For good measure he took the final frame before the interval with a run of 43.

After the break, the sport's most decorated player, who won the last of his record 36 ranking event titles at the 2005 Malta Cup, moved to within a frame of victory with a break of 56.

Milkins was on for a maximum in frame six. He potted nine reds and blacks before running out of position on 72, but it was enough to get back to 4-2.

A wild attempted pot at the beginning of the next frame presented Hendry with an opening, he made 62 but ran out of position when trying to dislodge the pack of remaining reds. Milkins couldn't profit and Hendry is now one match away from his 58th ranking event final.

Matthew Stevens also booked his place in the semi-finals after beating Dominic Dale 5-2 in an all-Welsh match.