Ken Doherty, who still has a realistic chance of edging the race for world number one status at the end of the season, has booked his place in the last 16 of the £450,000 China Open in Shanghai. The Dubliner advanced thanks to a 5-1 win over Malta's Tony Drago, which was highlighted by a 129 break.
Meanwhile, Stephen Hendry joined Doherty in the last 16 with a hard fought 5-2 victory over England's Nick Walker. Hendry has recently enlisted the coaching skills of snooker legend Terry Griffiths, and his influence seemed to be rubbing off on the seven times world champion, who displayed the patience and methodical approach of the Welshman to progress.
Elsewhere, Paul Hunter remained unbeaten for the year and extended his match-winning streak to ten by whitewashing Welshman Dominic Dale 5-0.
Filed by Shane Murray
