• World Snooker Championship

Doherty warning over Crucible

Ken Doherty won the World Championship in 1997 © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: O'Sullivan targets style and substance
  

Ken Doherty is relishing the prospect of heading back to Sheffield for the World Snooker Championship and feels it would be a mistake to take the tournament away from the Crucible.

Doherty missed out on qualification last year, but returned in 2010 with a renewed sense of purpose and booked his place in the first round. He will face Masters champion Mark Selby in his Crucible opener and admits the draw could have panned out better.

"The draw hasn't been kind this year, handing me a first round-tie against Mark Selby, the man they call "The Jester from Leicester", one of the game's toughest competitors," Doherty told Betfair. "He's probably the most improved player of the last few years and has assets that will take him a long way: a methodical approach, great snooker brain, a huge amount of bottle and, that word again... patience. He's beaten virtually all of the best players at least once and that gives him plenty of confidence. If I get past him, I'm likely to face Stephen Hendry, the most successful player of all time. If I beat him it's likely to be Ronnie O'Sullivan or Mark Williams. Like I say, hardly ideal!

"My preparation has gone to plan and I'm cueing the ball really well. If this match had been four or five years ago I would have been a big favourite against a qualifier but the roles are now reversed, there's no pressure on me and I can go out and enjoy myself. Mark will be expected to win so let's see how he handles that."

The Crucible is the home of the World Championship, but there have been calls for the tournament to be moved to a more modern venue. That is something Doherty feels would detract from the competition.

"It wouldn't be the World Championship if the old issue of changing venues wasn't discussed," he said. "I know the arguments for saying goodbye to The Crucible: a modern, bigger venue would allow more spectators to enjoy the action and bring in more revenue to the organisers. All well and good, but I'm a traditionalist and I believe the old theatre is the home of snooker. Can you imagine watching The Masters anywhere other than Augusta or tennis abandoning the lawns of Wimbledon? It will be a sad day if the Crucible stops hosting snooker's blue-riband event."

Doherty is a 100/1 chance with Stan James for the World Championship, with Selby an 8/1 chance. Ronnie O'Sullivan is the market leader at 7/2. Click here to open an account and receive a £25 free bet

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.