Ken Doherty booked his place in the main draw of next month’s Indian Open with a 4-2 victory over Ali Carter in qualifying, while fellow Irishman Josh Boileau also progressed. Former world number two Doherty has been in resurgent form so this season and has now secured victories in his last three qualifying events, despite having only held on to his Main Tour card thanks to an invitation from World Snooker.
The 1997 world champion reached the semi-finals of the Riga Masters in June, while he will also compete in this month’s lucrative China Championship. The 47-year-old wasn’t at his best during his latest qualifying victory over World Games runner-up Carter, as he failed to register a break of over 50, but he held his nerve to seal a place in the main event. Doherty’s reward for reaching the Last 64 stage will be a clash with Englishman John Astley, who was a comfortable 4-0 victor over compatriot Paul Davison during his qualifying round match. Another Irishman who will compete in the main draw in India next month is world number 88 Boileau, who recorded a much needed 4-3 victory over David Grace.
The 22-year-old, who is into the second of his two-year Tour card, battled back from 3-2 down to secure the victory, as he looks to boost his chances of breaking into the top 64 of the world rankings. Boileau will now face another Englishman, Sean O’Sullivan in the main draw, as he edged past Chinese player Xiao Guodong in a deciding frame. This year’s Indian Open will take place in Vishakhapatnam between September 12 and 16.
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