Northern Ireland Open snooker 2021: Martin Gould battles past Ken Doherty to reach Belfast

ByEurosport

Updated 26/08/2021 at 21:56 GMT

Former German Masters winner Martin Gould completed a 4-2 win over Ken Doherty in the qualifying round of the Northern Ireland Open in Leicester. He was joined in the last 64 of the Home Nations Series event by British Open semi-finalist Elliot Slessor and former UK finalist Liang Wenbo to reach the tournament proper.

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Martin Gould finished off with a break of 110 to complete a 4-2 win over 1997 world champion Ken Doherty in the qualifying round of the Northern Ireland Open in Leicester.

Gould and the Dubliner split the first four frames at the Morningside Arena with Doherty compiling 72 in the second frame, but former German Masters winner Gould won the final two frames, including a 110 break in the sixth frame, to reach the last 64.

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British Open semi-finalist Elliot Slessor edged out Ross Muir 4-3 to progress to the televised stage in Belfast after recovering from 3-1 behind.

Scottish amateur Muir opened with breaks of 66 and 70 with Slessor rolling in 75 to reduce the deficit before ultimately progressing.

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Belgium's number one Luca Brecel drubbed Michael White 4-0 to reach the last 64 while former UK finalist Liang Wenbo completed a 4-1 win over Pang Junxu.

21-year-old Pang won the first frame with a 59, but Liang was dominant as knocks of 55 in the third frame and a closing break of 104 completed his passage.

Matches involving the world's top 16 will be held over until the televised stage at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast with the Northern Ireland Open staged between 9-17 October LIVE on Eurosport as Judd Trump defends his title.