Ken Doherty can kill women’s snooker on Thursday

Reanne Evans describes her World Championship qualifier with the Dubliner as "do or die" for women in snooker.

The 29-year-old Englishwoman, who has won 10 women’s world titles, is aiming to become the first woman to qualify for a World Championship.

And, while her profile is dwarfed by the men’s game, Evans knows she must take her chance against the former world champion.

“As much as it’s brilliant, you get the added pressure. I’m do or die for the ladies. You have to accept it, that’s the way it is,” she said.

“I hope it all goes in the right direction.  If I don’t get to play (in the main draw), I hope (my attempt to qualify will inspire) the young girls because they need to see a future in the game.

“We don’t need every match on TV but it’s just to show ladies are playing snooker and it might invite more players in.

“When I first started playing I didn’t even know there was a ladies tour. If I didn’t know, and I was into it, how are other people going to find out?

“We just need it public and to make sure there are lady players out there.”

Last year, former world champion Steve Davis insisted a woman would never become overall world champion of the sport. But World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn disagrees, insisting there is no reason a woman cannot be as good as the best men.

Hearn believes Evans can make an impact at the Crucible if she can get through the three qualifying rounds.

"She is a fantastic player but it is an open game. The future of the sport is to open the game to everyone, irrespective of race, colour or sex. "We need to say, 'There is a snooker table, go and play'."

The 1997 champion will prove a tough obstacle, but Evans is confident she can overcome the first hurdle.

She said: “Everybody wants to dream and sometimes they come true. It’s going to be such a tough ask, to win one is hard but to win three is going to be mega-tough.

“You have to go out there and play your best game and hopefully on the day you’ll win.”