Ken Doherty (Photo by Benutzer:Bill da Flute)
English amateur Patrick Whelan scored a fine 10-5 defeat of 1997 World Champion Ken Doherty to progress to the second round of Halo World Championship Qualifying, whilst leaving his Irish counterpart’s future career in doubt.
Whelan, who lost out in the final round of Q School Event One at the start of the season, is competing in just his second World Championship. His first was behind closed doors due to the pandemic in 2020, when he lost his opening tie to Malta’s Alex Borg.
Defeat for Doherty means he ends the season ranked outside of the top 64. As a result, he now requires either a fresh invitational tour card or Q School to remain on the circuit next season.
The match was finely poised at 5-4 to Whelan heading into this evening. However, the 28-year-old pulled away, making breaks of 59, 85 and 67 en route to five of the next six frames. That books him a second round meeting with Robert Milkins.
Whelan said: “Playing somebody like Ken is amazing. He won the World Championship the year before I was born. To even play in the same tournaments as him is brilliant. He is such a good character. I enjoyed playing him because there were a lot of people here to see him. It was good to play as an underdog.
“If I was watching Ken face another player I’d want him to win. It made me realise I was playing a World Champion in the World Championship. I enjoyed it and took it one ball at a time.
“To play in these venues makes a big change from the clubs I’ve been playing in as an amateur. It makes you want to do it even more. To play in a World Championship and get a win over Ken is special.”
Liam Pullen scored a nerve-shredding 10-9 win over Shoot Out champion Alfie Burden to book his second round slot.
The 20-year-old made his first ever ranking quarter-final at this season’s Xi’an Grand Prix, an event which saw him beat John Higgins. Today’s win is another crucial step in his development.
Although it is a disappointing defeat for amateur cueman Burden, he looks in position to regain his professional status next season thanks to his Shoot Out win. This is by virtue of his position on the one-year list.
Having trailed 5-1 early in the match, Pullen rallied to 9-9 and a deciding frame. It came down to the blue, with the young Englishman clenching his fist after getting over the line and securing a dramatic 10-9 victory. He now faces Iran’s Amir Sarkhosh.
Pullen said: “I just felt the whole match was a mental challenge. He started off like a train. I’ve just said to myself to keep going. I’m quite proud of myself. There is a lot up for grabs. I might end up looking back at that match and it might have changed my trajectory. It is one match at a time, but if your target isn’t getting to the Crucible it is pointless playing.”
Marco Fu eased through to a second round clash with Liam Davies, after thrashing former Women’s World Champion Mink Nutcharut 10-1.
Breaks of 100, 105 and 137 helped Hong Kong’s three-time ranking event winner over the line.
RESULTS
Round One: Yao Pengcheng (Chn) bt Ryan Davies (Eng) 10-9; Leone Crowley (Ire) bt Huang Jiahao (Chn) 10-5; Bai Yulu (Chn) bt Daniel Womersley (Eng) 10-7; Gao Yang (Chn) bt Jimmy White (Eng) 10-9; Peter Lines (Eng) bt Jonas Luz (Bra) 10-2; Wang Xinbo (Chn) bt Mitchell Mann (Eng) 10-4; Michal Szubarczyk (Pol) bt Ng Onyee (Hkg) 10-7; Robbie McGuigan (Eng) bt Hammad Miah (Eng) 10-8; Prin Ratmukda (Tha) bt Alexander Ursenbacher (Sui) 10-0; Ross Muir (Sco) bt Michael Larkov (Ukr) 10-5; Connor Benzey (Eng) bt Haris Tahir (Pak) 10-6; Mateusz Baranowski (Pol) by Florian Nuessle (Aut) 10-5; Liam Pullen (Eng) bt Alfie Burden (Eng) 10-9; Ashley Carty (Eng) bt Cheung Ka Wai (Hkg) 10-9; Patrick Whelan (Eng) bt Ken Doherty (Ire) 10-5; Dylan Emery (Wal) bt Anton Kazakov (Ukr) 10-9; Vladislav Gradinari (Mdv) bt Reanne Evans (Eng) 10-7; Bulcsu Revesz (Hun) bt Craig Steadman (Eng) 10-6; Chris Totten (Sco) bt Daniel Boyes (Eng) 10-5; Steven Hallworth (Eng) bt Kreishh Gurbaxani (Ind) 10-6; Marco Fu (Hkg) bt Mink Nutcharut (Tha) 10-1; Okiver Sykes (Eng) bt Liam Graham (Eng) 10-4; Xu Yichen (Chn) bt Stuart Carrington (Eng) 10-4; Ian Burns (Eng) bt Sahil Nayyar (Eng) 10-6
