World Seniors Snooker Championship: Alfie Burden whitewashes Ken Doherty to reach quarter-finals
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Updated 04/05/2023 at 20:15 GMT
The World Snooker Championship came to a fantastic conclusion on Monday, which left the Crucible clear for the elder statesmen of the sport to strut their stuff at the World Seniors Snooker Championship. Alfie Burden made a statement of intent with a comprehensive win over 1997 world champion Ken Doherty as he powered his way into the quarter-finals of the event.
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Alfie Burden produced a high-quality display of potting to claim a 3-0 win over Ken Doherty at the World Seniors Snooker Championship.
The culmination of the World Championship, won in spectacular fashion by Luca Brecel on Monday, left the Crucible stage clear for the seniors to take the spotlight.
Both Burden and Doherty are still performing to a decent standard on the main tour, and it was the former who looked razor sharp in front of a good crowd in Sheffield.
There was little time to settle in the best-of-five scenario, but Burden was red-hot from the off as he powered into the last eight.
“It is a pleasure to play Ken, a former world champion,” Burden said. “It is a pleasure to step out in this theatre after all these years.
“I am honoured to be here, I am enjoying the tournament and hopefully I am here to have a little run.”
Burden got in after a poor safety from Doherty and made 56 to take control of the opening frame.
Doherty then played a better safety, but Burden potted his way out of trouble to clinch the opener.
Burden kept his foot on the gas in the second as he knocked in superb long red off Doherty’s break and made 43 before running out of position.
He got in again a short while later and made his second half century of the match to double his lead.
1997 world champion Doherty got in first in the third frame but could never find ideal position and his break broke down to set off a lengthy safety exchange.
Doherty built a career on the back of top-class safety, so it came as a surprise when a flick off a red saw him send the white into the yellow pocket, from where Burden picked off a break of 51 to clinch the win.
Burden will return on Saturday to take on either Darren Morgan or Stephen Hendry in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, Tony Drago - still a glorious sight with a cue in hand at the age of 57 - swept aside Vito Puopolo 3-0 to reach the quarter-finals.
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