Ken sets up Selby clash

Ken Doherty's resurgence continued as he qualified for the first round of the Grand Prix in Glasgow, where he was drawn against Mark Selby.

Doherty through to face Selby, Higgins plays debutant in Grand Prix

Ken Doherty's resurgence continued as he qualified for the first round of the Grand Prix in Glasgow, where he was drawn against Mark Selby. The draw for the first round of the Grand Prix, starting on October 3 at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow, was made following the final round of qualifying at Prestatyn. Doherty is hoping to perform better this year at qualifying as he chases a return to the world's top 16,. And breaks of 81, 56, 68, 55 and 67 helped him to a 5-1 win over Dave Harold and a trip to Glasgow. 1997 world champion Doherty won just two matches in ranking events last season, but has now qualified both tournament so far this season. "Dave's a tough match player but I made some good breaks," said the Dubliner."Last year at the Grand Prix I was sitting on the couch so I'm delighted to be involved as a player this time. Glasgow's a great place and there are a few Paddies there.

Buzz

"Getting through the qualifiers is a big buzz for me - when I get to the venue it feels like I've won the tournament. It's difficult here but if I've got aspirations of getting back into the top 16 then I need to win these matches." Defending Grand Prix champion John Higgins will face Mark Joyce after he qualified for a ranking event for the first time in his career. World number one Ronnie O'Sullivan plays home favourite Jamie Burnett, while seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry plays improving Londoner Matthew Selt. Selt earned his berth at the venue with a fine 5-3 success over Fergal O'Brien, which came as a result of breaks of 113, 93 and 87, and he now fancies his chances of downing Hendry in Glasgow. "I just kept making big breaks! Playing Hendry in Glasgow will be as big a match for me as playing Higgins in China," said 24-year-old Selt. "I really fancy winning as he will be coming in cold." Shanghai Masters finalist Liang Wenbo also quaified in Prestatyn by beating Dominic Dale 5-3, and he now goes up against Peter Ebdon, who he beat in Shanghai, in the last 32.

Grand Prix Draw:

John Higgins v Mark Joyce
Marco Fu v Mark Davis
Mark Selby v Ken Doherty
Joe Perry v Marcus Campbell
Ali Carter v Robert Milkins
Ding Junhui v Matthew Stevens
Ryan Day v Jamie Cope
Neil Robertson v Gerard Greene
Stephen Hendry v Matthew Selt
Peter Ebdon v Liang Wenbo
Shaun Murphy v Barry Pinches
Mark Allen v Ian McCulloch
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Jamie Burnett
Mark Williams v Stuart Bingham
Stephen Maguire v Nigel Bond
Mark King v Ricky Walden