Doherty avoids slip-ups BreakingNews.ie_214

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Doherty avoids slip-ups You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login,You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
Ken Doherty is anxious to avoid an early exit from the opening tournament of the new season – and he got past the first hurdle with a fine display in the first round of the LG Cup at Preston today.
Doherty, runner-up to Mark Williams in last season’s world and UK Championship, lost the first frame but recovered quickly to beat Gerard Greene 5-2.
“The first tournament of the season is notorious for big-name casualties,” said the 34-year-old Dubliner.
“I remember one season when six of the top eight seeds went out in the first round. It’s quite incredible how these things happen,You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login, so I was on my guard against Gerard today,You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login,” added the former world champion.
“It’s always difficult coming in cold, especially when Gerard has already played a few qualifying matches.”
The world number six endured a poor run of the balls in the opening frame. But he was soon in the groove, pinching the second from 42-1 behind and then making a superb 140 total clearance in the third.
That break took him past John Parrott’s 137 against Stephen Lee on Monday to put him in the reckoning for a possible ￡5,000 (�7,000) bonus.
Doherty stretched his lead to 4-1 before Northern Ireland international Greene made his highest break of the match to stay in touch.
But Greene did not pot a ball in frame seven, and Doherty clinched a meeting tomorrow night against Jimmy White.
“I seemed to be potting all the balls I didn’t want to in the first couple of frames,You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login,” said Doherty.
"To pinch that second frame was an important one,You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login, because it settled me down. I look forward to playing Jimmy. We’ve had some great matches down the years, and there will be a big crowd and a great atmosphere.
“It’s games like these that really give me an adrenaline rush.”