Ken secures Crucible chance

Doherty: 10-1 win over Swail

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Ken Doherty rolled back the years as he thrashed Joe Swail to secure his place in the Betfred.com World Championship.

The 1997 champion produced a superb display to see off close friend Swail 10-1 and revealed afterwards he was using Steve Davis as his inspiration.

Doherty, who failed to qualify last year, raced into an 8-1 lead after the first session and swiftly converted that into victory in the final round of qualifying to earn himself a 17th visit to the Crucible Theatre as a player.

"I missed it terribly. I was in tears almost last year when I lost," he stated. "I didn't know where my game was going and it was a real down time for me.

"I always thought it was a premature end, it couldn't be like that and I had a lot more to offer."

Davis, at 52 some 12 years Doherty's senior, will be appearing at the home of snooker for the 30th time after beating Adrian Gunnell on Sunday and the six-time world champion continues to amaze.

Doherty continued: "You look at Steve Davis and the way he played yesterday and he's five or six years older than Jimmy White and John Parrott. You could take a lot of leaves out of Steve Davis' book.

"I take a lot of inspiration from the likes of Steve and Jimmy. They're great characters, they've been great players and ambassadors and have a great determination and grit - and that was obvious the way Steve qualified and how Jimmy keeps coming back for more."

Doherty himself ended White's qualification hopes this year, beating him in the previous round, but the 47-year-old Whirlwind will continue to play on next season.

Parrott, though, is expected to announce his retirement, even though Doherty suggests the 1991 world champion should reconsider.

"John Parrott is a true champion and I hope he reconsiders retirement because I think he still has a lot to offer the game," he added.

"Jimmy is the same as well. He says he's going to give it one more year but I think there's plenty of life."

Ford progresses as well

Also earning a place alongside Doherty in Thursday's first-round draw will be debutant Tom Ford after the 26th-year-old brushed aside Judd Trump 10-3, finishing with a break of 100.

Ford revealed that he has received a supportive text message from reigning Masters champion, and fellow Leicester player, Mark Selby during the interval.

He went on to acknowledge that he needed to follow the example set by Selby having spent much of the early part of his career going out with friends and drinking.

"I've not stopped it, I've just cut it down, because everybody likes going out," he explained. "But it's not good for you when you're trying to practise the next day and you've got a hangover.

"A lot of players from the same place would be jealous. He texted me earlier on saying, 'well done, carry it on and keep it up in the future'.

"I see Mark on TV a lot of the time and it does wind me up because I know I should be trying to do the same thing. That's why I've knuckled down this year.

"Mark is very dedicated, he doesn't drink that much, so we're not on the same wavelength there. I took the wrong path when I was 18, started going out too much, whereas he knuckled down himself and he's done what he's done because he had the dedication."