IRELAND’S KEN DOHERTY prevented England’s Reanne Evans from making history last night.
Evans, a 10-time ladies’ snooker world champion, was bidding to become the first woman to play in the World Championship main draw.
1997 world champion Doherty endured a difficult start, as Evans led 3-1 and then 4-3 at Ponds Forge in Sheffield.
However, the Irish player then took a 5-4 lead and ultimately held on for a tense 10-8 victory, with Evans coming close to drawing level at 9-8, as Doherty needed snookers to prevail.
(Evans, an amateur snooker player, is the reigning WLBSA World Ladies Snooker Champion)
After the match, Evans told reporters: “I’m happy to have stuck in there with a player who has been world champion and has so much experience.
“There’s no reason why I can’t beat people like Ken if I play a bit better.”
Doherty added: “It was such a tough game and she played out of her skin.
“She was there today because she deserves it, she’s a good player and she should be given more chances on the tour.”
Doherty and other qualifiers must now get through two more qualifying rounds before the main draw takes place on 18 April.
