Doherty looked to be in some trouble when he ended today's morning session 5-3 down to Barry Pinches, who beat White last year before losing in a decider to Steven Hendry.
However Doherty was soon level thanks to breaks of of 55 and 70 in the ninth and he followed them up a 91 and a 109 in the next two frames to go in front.
It has been a disappointing season for Doherty and he admitted his performance tonight had been easily his best for some time.
"I've not played like that for two years," said the world number seven. "I was delighted to be only 5-3 down after the first session but tonight was the old Ken Doherty."
"I knew I had to come out and play and it felt good to play like that. I couldn't have just gone out of the tournament playing badly."
"Once I got into the rhythm I grew in confidence and settled down. I knew it was in me and the beauty of this tournament is that you can really find your form in one good session."
Fifth seed John Higgins, who succeeded Doherty as champion in 1998, could not shake off world number 36 Mark Selby in their opening session and led 5-4 ahead of tomorrow afternoon's conclusion."
The duo notched up three century breaks between them, Higgins opening up with a 136 and Selby responding with a 135, in a high-quality encounter.
