Snooker: Ken Doherty kisses his hopes goodbye

Published on Sunday 18 April 2010 23:39

KEN DOHERTY kissed goodbye to the Betfred.com World Championship as Mark Selby charged through to the second round.

After failing to qualify 12 months ago, Doherty was so thrilled to clinch his place in the draw this time that he entered the arena on Saturday and planted a kiss on the theatre floor.

The 40-year-old Dubliner, who was champion at the Crucible in 1997, was more restrained as his match against Selby resumed yesterday.

He had business to set about after allowing Selby to open up a 6-3 lead in their opening session, but overturning that deficit proved a challenge Doherty could not rise to.

He won just one further frame, the 12th, as Selby showed why he is a serious title contender, taking his chances when they came along.

Selby had a chance of a 147 maximum break in the final frame, but missed the 11th black after reaching 81.

The 26-year-old began positively yesterday, taking a first frame which always looked likely to be important thanks to a couple of solid scoring visits. A break of 82 made it 8-3, and although Doherty pinched one back the Irishman was being overwhelmed.

Doherty was first in with 37 in the next frame but missed a black off its spot and 80 from Selby was severe punishment.

Selby rued his failure to finish off with a maximum, but that was his only regret.

He said: "The money's great if you get it but I was thinking about the history and being on the roll of honour, knowing that you've made a 147 at the Crucible. It would have been a massive achievement.

"As long as in myself I believe I can win the World Championship that's the biggest thing.

"If I play my own game and play to my capability then I know I've got every chance."

Doherty backed Selby's title credentials, saying: "He looks like a guy who's really on top form and it's always hard to play against someone like that.

"Every time you make even a smallest miscalculation you're punished by him clearing up and winning the frame.

"He's a great character, he's got good bottle, he scores very heavily, and he's got a great all-round safety game."

Earlier, Mark Allen completed the formalities against Tom Ford, converting his 8-1 overnight lead into a 10-4 victory.

Hong Kong's Marco Fu had to settle for a 5-4 lead over Martin Gould after the Englishman won the final two frames. Ali Carter got the better of a scrappy session as he built a 7-2 lead over Jamie Cope.