Doherty delight despite missed maximum

Ken Doherty significantly improved his chances of remaining among snooker's elite top 16 next season with a hard-fought 5-2 win over Australia’s Quinten Hann – but still left the venue rueing an expensive mistake.

In the opening frame the Dubliner potted 15 reds and 14 blacks but, only seven shots short of his first maximum in tournament play, he failed to sink a straightforward black off its’ spot with the remaining colours ideally placed.

“It’s the same old story, missing a black cost me,” said Doherty, who jawed the final black for a 147 and the keys to a sports car valued during his defeat by Matthew Stevens in the final of the 2000 Benson & Hedges Masters at Wembley.

“Not making the maximum was really disappointing but the most important thing was the win. It was a very good result for me because Quinten is a tough competitor,” said Doherty, precariously 14th on the provisional world ranking list.

Doherty now faces Stephen Lee, who whitewashed Habib Subah, Bahrain’s leading player, 5-0.

Hong Kong’s Marco Fu also reached the third round with an unconvincing 5-3 victory over Kobkit Palajin, of Thailand.

Fu advances to meets Dave Harold, who received a walkover following the withdrawal of Ronnie O’Sullivan.