IRELAND’S KEN DOHERTY has booked his place at this year’s Dafabet World Championship having missed out on competing for snooker’s biggest prize last year.
The 44-year-old Dubliner, who is the 1997 champion, defeated Dechawat Poomjaeng of Thailand 10-5 and will be the oldest player in Thursday’s draw ahead of his 19th appearance at the Crucible.
“This match is the hardest to play, it’s so nerve-racking,” Doherty told worldsnooker.com. “Once you’ve got to the Crucible there is less pressure because at least you’ve made it and you are part of the tournament.
“You see the likes of Williams and Dott struggling because it means so much. We have been there for a long time and we just want to be part of it. I lost to Jimmy Robertson a few years ago and to Matt Selt last year so I know what it’s like to lose in this round.
I’ll be the oldest player at the Crucible and I never thought I would say that. I love the game and nothing beats playing. I’m not going to retire like Stephen Hendry, I’m much more like Steve Davis and Jimmy White who just love playing.”
Former champions Mark Williams and Graeme Dott, meanwhile, were unable to secure places at this year’s event, which begins on Saturday.
Doherty also tweeted last night:
