WORLD SNOOKER PLAYER PROFILES

Doherty - triumphed in 1997. (Getty Images) (7) Ken Doherty World Ranking: 7 Provisional Ranking: 13 Date Of Birth: 17/09/69 World Championship Best: Winner - 1997 Ken Doherty earned his place in Crucible history when his 1997 victory over Stephen Hendry meant he became the first player from the Republic of Ireland to win the World Championships. Doherty, often praised for his superlative tactics, has reached two World Championship finals since then but on both occasions has had to settle for second place. In 2003, where he lost in the final to Mark Williams, Doherty played an incredible 132 out of a possible 137 frames in an epic tournament. Following that exhausting run Doherty has struggled for form with the nadir being his first-round exit in last year's World Championship. This season has been little better for the 35-year-old who has continued to slide down the provisional rankings. However, the Dubliner's best performance this season has come in the recent China Open where he was defeated by Chinese superstar Ding Jun Hui in the semi-final. Victories there, over Paul Hunter, Stephen Lee and Quinten Hann demonstrated that Doherty can still play at the highest level. With four other ranking titles to his name and a never-say-die attitude the Irishman will be one of the most experienced players in Sheffield and a danger to anyone he comes up against.