WAKE UP , RON.. GAME IS FLYING
Doherty questions Rocket’s criticism of game on eve of big TV clash
KEN Doherty has taken a friendly potshot at star player Ronnie O’sullivan ahead of their UK Championship showdown.
Former world champion Doherty and the Rocket (inset) lock horns in what promises to be a mouthwatering second round clash at York’s
Barbican tomorrow.
And Doherty, who has witnessed O’sullivan being very critical of the sport in recent weeks, said: “I’d say to Ronnie, wake up and smell the roses. Enjoy it whilst you still can!”
The Rocket has slammed snooker supremo Barry Hearn for creating a jam-packed calendar and gruelling travel schedule.
But 1997 Crucible winner Doherty believes O’sullivan should count his lucky stars the green baize game is in rude health.
“I find his comments strange,” admitted Doherty. “The state of the game has never been better.
“He’s earning pot loads of money and he can pick and choose his tournaments. He couldn’t do that 20 years ago.
“We’re very lucky with the way
Barry Hearn’s come along and grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck.
“The game was dead. We had six ranking tournaments and now there’s £15million prize money to play for when back then we had just £3.5million.
“I think the opportunities for players, not only him, are great.” Doherty impressed with a 6-2 win over Chinese young gun Yuan Sijun on the opening day of this year’s tournament.
And although the three-time UK finalist knows he faces a tough ask to upset the Rocket, Dubliner Doherty is relishing the occasion.
“I haven’t played him in the UK Championship for a long time, the last time was when he beat me 10-1 in the final, so I’ll try not to think about that!” reflected Doherty.
“These are the types of matches you want to be playing in, on TV against the best players.
“I’ve got nothing to lose. Everyone expects Ronnie to win and every time he turns up he’s flying.
“I’ve got some good memories of this tournament and some bad ones, losing to Ronnie in the final is a bad memory.
“But I’m not afraid of Ronnie because I used to beat him everyday 10-2 or 10-3 when we practised together.”
Doherty joked: “He was only 12 at the time, but it still counts in my book!”
Belfast’s Joe Swail is hoping to send his second Welshman packing in a week when he faces Jak Jones on Sunday.
Fellow Irishman Fergal O’brien suffered a tough 6-5 loss from 3-1 and 4-3 up to crash out to China’s Mei Xiwen yesterday. Breaks of 56, 61, 117, 52 and 66 weren’t enough to book the Dubliner a place in the second round.