Doherty 'a million miles' from last year

If a week is a long time in politics, a year in snooker can be an eternity - and that is how it feels for Ken Doherty.

The Irishman is a real contender for the 888.com World Championship in Sheffield, oozing confidence after crushing Crucible Theatre debutant Barry Hawkins with a 10-1 first-round victory.

It is a stark contrast from the situation in which the 1997 champion found himself 12 months ago when he salvaged his place among the world’s top 16 by winning 10-5 against Barry Pinches.

But now Doherty looks set to clinch a top-three ranking for next season after a fine run of form and is in what looks to be the easier half of the draw as he targets a second world title.

“Considering this time last year I needed to win my opening match to stay in the top 16, I am a million miles away now from where I was then,” said the 36-year-old Dubliner.

“It’s amazing what a bit of confidence can do for you. Winning the Malta Cup earlier this year was the medicine I needed and it’s made me a different prospect for anyone that plays me.

“It’s great to be playing well again and really enjoying it. When you have no confidence you don’t enjoy it and it’s very difficult. Now everything seems so nice and easy and I feel great.

“I’m not getting carried away though. My next match will be tough, but I am up for the challenge and I love it here.”

That next match will be against either Matthew Stevens or Joe Swail, with the Welshman, runner-up to Shaun Murphy last year and also in 2000, leading 6-3 after the first session.

Joining Doherty in reaching round two on day three of the tournament was Stephen Maguire, who had never previously won a match at the Crucible.

The Scot had the bad luck to be drawn against Ronnie O’Sullivan on his two previous visits but, seeded this time, was paired with Mark King and prevailed 10-6.

It has not been a memorable campaign for Maguire and that could yet be an advantage for he has been able to fly under the radar somewhat in the build-up to this competition.

“It’s much better being out of the limelight,” said the 25-year-old, who sprang to fame by winning the 2004 UK Championship.

“There was a lot of expectation on me at the start of the season and I started reading the headlines, which you should never do.

“Now I’m in the background a bit, which is great. I just want to sneak through and bite someone on the bum!”

The day’s other winner was Australia’s Neil Robertson, who came through 10-5 in difficult circumstances against cancer-battling Paul Hunter.

It was a brave performance by the Yorkshireman and he will resume treatment for his illness tomorrow, with 16 weeks of chemotherapy scheduled merely to try to contain the disease.