• World Championship

Doherty wins first Crucible match since 2006

ESPN staff
April 20, 2014
Ken Doherty won the World Championship in 1997 © Getty Images
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Ken Doherty won a match at the Crucible for the first time since 2006 after he shocked Stuart Bingham with a 10-5 victory in the first round of the World Championship on Sunday.

An emotional Doherty, who kissed the carpet at the Sheffield venue on his way into the arena, rallied from 5-4 down after the pair's opening session on Saturday and won six straight frames to secure a place in the second round.

"I was starting to get really emotional," Doherty told the BBC. "When I went 9-5 up I started to feel the nerves a little bit but I was loving every minute.

"I don't know how many more times I'm going to be here again. I have to savour every moment. I've had a lot of special memories out there and they came flooding back."

The 1997 champion is the oldest man in the draw at the age of 44, but rattled off breaks of 55, 60, 57 and 60 to send Bingham packing.

"Ken did a number on me. He's 'Crafty Ken' for a reason - he can see your weaknesses and exploit them," Bingham said.

World No.2 Ding Junhui, who has won a record-equaling five ranking events this season, holds a 6-3 advantage over Michael Wasley, while two-time finalist Ali Carter sealed his spot in the last 16 with a 10-8 victory over Xiao Guodong.

Joe Perry trails Jamie Burnett 6-3 in their first round clash, which will now continue on Monday. Burnett took the first frame with a comfortable break of 84 before Perry worked his way back to level at 2-2.

Perry edged ahead with the fifth frame, but Burnett clinched four straight frames with breaks of 76, 61 and 94 to claim the advantage.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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