Ken Doherty ensured an all Irish head-to-head in the Masters quarter-finals with a 6-1 victory over Anthony Hamilton at Wembley last night. Doherty, fresh from his success in the Welsh Open at Cardiff, meets fellow Dubliner Fergal O'Brien who earlier stunned world champion and world number one Mark Williams.
Williams was among Doherty's list of scalps during his Welsh triumph and he is determined to add another major title to his collection on Sunday night.
A B&H Masters runner-up for the past two seasons, Doherty said: "It's really important to go on and try to win another title, especially when you are buzzing. I've played well in the past and then let it slip. It's vital to keep my momentum and my motivation going.
"But Fergal will make it hard for me. I know it's going to be a tough match. He's a hard, determined and gritty performer and won't give me an inch," added Doherty, now installed as second favourite for a £175,000 first prize behind Stephen Hendry.
Doherty also has his eye on the £80,000 sports car available to any player compiling a 147 break. The former world champion was just one ball from picking up the keys 12 months ago in the final against Matthew Stevens.
"I had a glimpse of the car on my first day here and it immediately brought back bad memories," said Doherty.
"Besides, I didn't like the colour last year. This time it's a red one, my favourite colour" grinned the Manchester United supporter.
Breaks of 52 and 107 gave Doherty a flying start but Hamilton replied with 119 to reduce arrears. It was to be his last success as Doherty replied with runs of 51, 47 and 48 to reach the quarterfinals for a fifth successive season.
Earlier, it was touch and go for 28-year-old O'Brien before he completed a famous 6-5 win over the world number one and world champion.
The demise of Welsh lefthander Williams means four former Masters winners have failed to qualify for the last eight: Williams, Ronnie O'Sullivan, John Higgins and Alan McManus. In addition, defending champion Matthew Stevens also lost in the second round of the £650,000 event.
A break of 53 finally helped clinch O'Brien's ticket to the next stage as he fought back from 5-4 down. It would have been unjust had the world number nine not prevailed. He repeatedly outscored Williams, including a century in frame three and 99 in the penultimate frame.
"It was important to get a good start because if you let Mark get away then he just goes from strength to strength," said O'Brien, the former British Open champion.
MASTERS (Wembley) - Second round: F O'Brien (Irl) bt M Williams (Wal) 6-5. Frame scores (O'Brien first): 26-67 83-0 88-31 126 (102 break)-0 36-92 59-63 69-46 38-80 63-64 99-0 82-38; K Doherty (Irl) bt A Hamilton (Eng) 6-1. Frame Scores (Doherty first): 84-22 107(107 break)-0 0(119 break)134 75-2 56-30 47-45 85-1.
