Irish duo Ken Doherty and Fergal O’Brien have made it through to the second round of the Indian Open after recording narrow victories on Tuesday. Former world champion Doherty had to draw on all of his experience to see off Englishman John Astley 4-3 in the opening round, recording an impressive break of 62 in the decisive frame.
The 47-year-old may not be playing at the same heights that saw him reach number two in the world earlier in his career, but he did make it through to the semi-final of this year’s Riga Masters. It is the first time Doherty has made it through to the second-round of the Indian Open, but the victory continues what has been a positive start to the season for the world number 79. Doherty’s fellow Irishman O’Brien also needed a deciding frame to progress through his first round match against Jimmy Robertson of England, coming from 3-2 down to record the success.
The experienced 45-year-old will be hoping to enjoy a sustained run in the event after reaching the quarter-finals of last month’s China Championship, although he has not reached the final of a ranking tournament since losing to Stephen Maguire in the 2007 Northern Ireland Trophy. Other notable first-round victors on Tuesday were Englishman Matthew Selt, who eased past Cao Yupeng of China without dropping a frame, as did highly-rated teenager Xu Si, who disposed on Finnish player Robin Hull.
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