IRELAND’S Ken Doherty will face either John Higgins or Alan McManus in the second round of the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield after beating Stuart Bingham on Sunday.
Doherty – the 1997 champion - progressed to the next round for the first time in eight years with a 10-5 victory over world number six Bingham.
"It was magnificent. It's a fantastic feeling to get through," he said after winning all six frames to secure the win.
At the start of the session, Doherty trailed 5-4, but later made breaks of 55, 60, 57 and 60 to seal victory over Bingham.
There was no doubting his passion to perform to the best of his abilities after he kissed the carpet upon arrival into the auditorium at the start of the match.
"I was starting to get really emotional. When I went 9-5 up, I started to feel the nerves a little bit but I was loving every minute,” he said.
"I don't know how many more times I'm going to be here again. I have to savour every moment.
"I've had a lot of special memories out there and they came flooding back."
The oldest man in the draw at 44, Doherty had to battle through three rounds of qualifying just to make the main draw at the Crucible, where he has twice finished runner-up in 1998 and 2003.
Bingham added of his older opponent: "Ken did a number on me. He's 'Crafty Ken' for a reason - he can see your weaknesses and exploit them."
Doherty’s next match is on Friday 25 April, where he will face either John Higgins or Alan McManus in the second round.
