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Doherty the fall guy as Allen tries to keep pace with his partner

This article is more than 16 years old

Mark Allen, a 21-year-old Irish left-hander in only his second professional season, created the first major shock of the World Championship in Sheffield by defeating Ken Doherty, the world No2 and the champion in 1997.

"I was really nervous today," said Allen, who saw his 6-3 overnight lead cut to 6-6 before winning 10-7. "Being 6-3 up was a different sort of pressure and I didn't handle it very well, but luckily Ken gave me an opening when I really needed it."

Allen missed black from its spot in prime position in each of the first three frames of the day. Doherty won them all only for a failed red to a middle pocket to present Allen with his chance for the 76 break with which he regained the lead. Doherty equalised at 7-7 with a 135 total clearance, at which stage Allen "knew I had to cut out silly mistakes. When Ken made that break it really focused me."

With breaks of 68 and 41 Allen again went ahead at 8-7 and opened the scoring with 54 in the next. Doherty's reply foundered on 43 to allow Allen to go two up with three to play, and with 50 as his main contribution, the Crucible debutant claimed the clinching frame.

Allen was quick to praise his support team, in particular Terry Griffiths, coach to the 110 sport management stable, and his partner of three years, Reanne Evans, the women's world champion.

It was at the 2004 European amateur championships, which Allen won, that he met Evans. At the world amateur championships later that year, which he also won, they became an item. A year ago Evans gave birth to their daughter six weeks after she won the second of her three women's world titles. "I'd never have heard the last of it if I hadn't qualified," said Allen .

Stephen Hendry was given an early wake-up call when trailing 5-1 to Dave Gilbert, a 500-1 outsider from Tamworth. But the seven-times champion raised his game and goes into this morning's final session only 5-4 down.

It would not be strictly accurate to say Gilbert has not pulled up any trees in his six-year professional career as he has worked for the Forestry Commission to supplement his meagre earnings from the circuit, but with a No75 ranking he had not previously played in a televised game.

Hendry's 51 break took the opening frame but it was not long before some observers were questioning the wisdom of his decision to change cues less than a month before the championship. With 34 as his highest break, Gilbert won four undistinguished frames before settling to the nicely controlled 100 to go 5-1 ahead. It was vital for Hendry to respond and breaks of 68 and 76 helped him to take the remaining frames .

Joe Swail, twice a world semi-finalist, gave Northern Ireland a second representative in the last 16, recovering from 4-0, 8-6 and 9-8 down fora 10-9 victory over Mark Williams, twice the champion but struggling for confidence all season.

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