Ronnie O'Sullivan was likened to an amateur player as he struggled in Sunday's World Grand Prix final.
Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry was not impressed with O'Sullivan or opponent Judd Trump in the afternoon session.
Trump took an early grip on the match in Leicester, racing into a 4-0 lead in the best-of-19 match.
O'Sullivan won three of the next four frames to leave the match tantalisingly poised ahead of its resumption this evening, though still trails 5-3 at the interval.
Ronnie O'Sullivan trails Judd Trump 5-3 heading into tonight's final session
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Hendry is working as a pundit for ITV on the tournament and gave an honest verdict following the end of the session.
The Scot claimed the standard was so low compared to what was expected from O'Sullivan and Trump.
Hendry said: "[O'Sullivan] needed obviously a good second session to get back into the match.
"It's been, in terms of standard, it's been disappointing, you have to say, in terms of what the players were playing before they got to the final, especially Ronnie last night.
"But it's been no less fascinating to see who could get the upper hand.
"It took to the very last frame of the session for Ronnie to show some of that magic that he saw last night."
Hendry then singled out a few shots in particular that he felt would warrant a space in a local amateur league.
He said: "These first three shots here, you would think you're watching the local Leicester league, instead of two of the greatest players of all time.
"Sometimes it was incredible how low the standard got."
Ken Doherty jokingly responded by claiming Hendry's comments were 'disrespectful' to amateurs.
The Irishman replied: "That's quite disrespectful to the Leicester league!"
O'Sullivan put in a complete performance in his 6-1 semi-final win over Ding Junhui on Saturday.
However, he was unable to show the same level less than 24 hours later.
When Trump was leading 4-0, Doherty said: "Well it's a complete night and day performance from Ronnie O'Sullivan.
"It's error-strewn, he looks a little bit bereft of confidence.
"I know Judd has dominated but not completely, he's given chances but every day is different in sport and today is a completely different day.
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Ronnie O'Sullivan struggled in the early stages of Sunday's World Grand Prix final
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"There's little things going wrong, as well as his misses, there's little things going wrong."
O'Sullivan has given himself more than a fighting chance of pulling off a comeback this evening though.
He won two frames in a row before Trump restored a three-frame lead.
But O'Sullivan finished the session in style to leave just two frames between them.
Doherty reckons Trump may have missed an opportunity to have a more comfortable advantage.
Judd Trump sped into a 4-0 lead but was pulled back to 5-3
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He added: "You can sense almost the tension out there between the two of them.
"Both really want to stake their mark on the match.
"Judd Trump got a fantastic start but I think he's missed a trick to be honest."