Ken Doherty helped to maintain the 100 per cent record of the world's top eight players at the UK Championship in York yesterday as he beat Dominic Dale to reach the quarter-finals.
The Dubliner's 9-3 victory earlier in the day meant all eight of the leading octet won their third-round matches to fill their designated place. John Higgins and Mark Williams last night ensured this situation as they beat Paul Hunter and Alan McManus, respectively.
Doherty led his Welsh opponent 6-2 overnight and although Dale won the first frame of yesterday's concluding session, it proved his only joy and Doherty claimed three in succession to book a clash with Matthew Stevens.
"We both played very well yesterday, Dominic must have been very frustrated to have made breaks of 81 and 140 and be 6-2 down," said world number four Doherty. "He gave me a few chances today and all I had to do was take them. It got a bit scrappy towards the end but to get through is the most important thing."
A tournament surprisingly devoid of shock results looks set for an exciting climax. Certainly Higgins should take high rank on the list of potential victors after his 9-5 triumph over Masters hero Hunter.
The Scot's title defence was under threat when he trailed 3-1 and with the Yorkshireman in the balls, but the fifth frame ultimately went to Higgins and he gradually stretched away to record an impressive success. "It was a very tough match," insisted the `Wizard of Wishaw', who now meets Stephen Lee.
Williams, beaten by Higgins in last year's final, was despairing of his form after his World Championship defeat by Joe Swail in April, but the Welshman is now back to something like his best.
The world number one came through a battle to beat McManus 9-7 and meets Stephen Hendry for a place in the last four.
"I felt good today, quite relaxed and with no nerves at all," said Williams, whose highlight was a break of 107.
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