The qualification process has already seen the exit of 1991 world champion John Parrott, whose loss to China's AndaZhang means he will drop out of the top 64, and a place on the main tour, next season.
Hendry, without a ranking title since the 2005 Malta Cup, begins against 18-year-old Chinese prodigy ZhangAnda and the seven-time champion admits he is uncertain what awaits him.