Early exit for downcast Doherty

FORMER champions Graeme Dott and Ken Doherty both crashed out of the 888.com World Championship in the first round in Sheffield yesterday.

Dott, who contemplated not playing at the Crucible after being diagnosed with depression, lost 10-7 to Joe Perry while Doherty was convincingly beaten 10-5 by Chinese debutant Liang Wenbo.

Doherty will now drop out of the top 16 in the world rankings for the first time in 15 years and faces having to qualify for the televised stage of tournaments next season.