Doherty out in first round as Antrim's Allen advances
Crucible debutant Mark Allen admitted today's shock 888.com World Championship victory over former champion Ken Doherty was the biggest of his life.
The 21-year-old qualifier held his nerve to seal yet another opening-round shock in this year's finals, claiming a 10-7 first-round victory over the 1997 champion to book a meeting with two-time finalist Matthew Stevens.
"I beat Steve Davis and John Higgins in an invitation event last year but that was over a short number of frames, so to beat Ken Doherty in the best of 19 at the Crucible is definitely my best win," said Allen.
"I was really nervous out there (this morning) when I first started, I can see why people come here and crumble."
Number three seed Doherty began brightly today, taking the opening three frames to draw level at 7-7 as former World Amateur Champion Allen began to show signs of cracking under the pressure.
But despite a break of 135 - the highest of the tournament so far - Doherty was unable to get his nose in front as the Antrim-based youngster closed out the final three frames with breaks of 68, 54 and 50.
Doherty revealed the defeat was "hard to swallow" after his early exit ruined any chance of becoming world number one for a first time.
He said: "I'm gutted. I didn't play well - it's hard to swallow. I thought I did everything right with my preparations but he played superbly well. He was very hard to contain and I did not play as well as I can.
"When you practice for six or seven hours a day it's so frustrating - you start to wonder whether it's worth it."
