Ken Doherty has resumed his challenge for a second Embassy World Championship title in Sheffield but will have to be at his best against England’s Mark King.
The Dubliner, champion in 1997, began his second round tie against King this morning and finds himself trailing in the early stages. King, leads 2-1 in the best of 25 frame contest.
Doherty held off a stubborn challenge from Stuart Bingham to set up the clash with King and started in determined fashion.
Breaks of 56 and 54 secured the first frame (110-14) but he failed to improve on that score and managed just two points in the next (90-2) before losing out in a scrappy contest in the third (82-33).
Jimmy White has apologised for the petulant act which handed Matthew Stevens a four-frame lead in their second round clash.
The six-time runner-up was frustrated after missing a simple shot and smashed the cue ball into the black, sending both balls spinning off the table. White immediately conceded the frame, gifting Welshman Stevens a 6-2 overnight lead.
White said in a statement: "I would like to apologise for the way I reacted at the end of the first session of my second round match against Matthew Stevens.
"It was caused by sheer frustration and was completely out of character. I wish to apologise to Matthew, all my fans and the viewers on BBC Television".