Ken Doherty is two wins away from a first Crucible appearance since 2014, following a 10-6 win over Hammad Miah in the Cazoo World Championship qualifiers at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.
The 1997 world champion, who has struggled for form this season, compiled a brilliant break of 137 en route to victory and faces China's Pang Junxu in his next match on Monday.
Doherty told the World Snooker Tour: "There is more pressure on these qualifiers because it is the Crucible. I've had such a great affinity with Sheffield over the years that I’ve had some great memories.
"It would be great to go there, not as a pundit, but as a player. It is the same with the other older lads, where the chances are getting few and far between, as the younger lads who are aspiring to do it for the first time.
"Time is running out and there is no doubt about that. Time waits for no man, but you have to reflect and look at what it has served me over the years. I am just so grateful and so happy. I’ve had a wonderful experience playing snooker and I’m still enjoying it."
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Ken Doherty