KEN DOHERTY is into the semi finals of the Embassy World Snooker Championships at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield starting today. After one or two uncertain moments in his quarter final against John Higgins last night, he finally pushed forward to claim the most important engagement of his life with a match against Alain Robidoux from Canada.

A delighted Doherty charmed everybody present after the 13-9 victory and admitted that he did not have any great ambition to be other than successful.

I am delighted to be in the semi final, it is a big breakthrough for me. I was always determined that I wouldn't let the side down, I am very conscious of the fact that two Irish men, Dennis Taylor and Alex Higgins, have won this title before me, with Dennis being the last Irish winner in 1985 and I hope that I can live up to what they set down as the norm for Irish snooker players."

Doherty, who insists that he is from Ranelagh rather than Dublin, admitted that his success on this occasion was partly due to the fact that he had changed his lifestyle, within the last few weeks.

"I really got down to working very hard at my game after paying some attention to family and friends in Ranelagh and I worked very hard in Dagenham and I believe that as a result of that I am a new player," he said.

Later he admitted that he had felt very nervous after the first three frames which saw him three frames behind and very little prospect of a recovery.

"At that stage I really wanted to go home. I decided I would do that or I would hang in and get myself back into the match and at this stage I am now absolutely delighted that I made the effort. It certainly indicates to me that if I work hard enough at the game, there is nothing I can't achieve.

"I am delighted for all the people at home who have put so much trust in me and I now am determined that I will go further and beat Alain Robidoux in the semi final. As for who I would like to meet after that, I really don't care. I honestly believe I am capable of winning the tournament."

Doherty had gone in to the final session with a 9-7 lead, but Higgins claimed the first of the evening frames with a break of 72. However, Doherty made the most of a mistake by Higgins in the next frame, with four blues and three pinks giving him a 66-16 lead in the frame and putting him 10-8 ahead.

Higgins missed a red to let Doherty in for a victory - including seven blacks - to go ahead 11-8, but Higgins, with typical Scottish determination, fought back and, as Doherty missed several potable reds, the evening break came with Doherty still two to the good.

The only question now was if Doherty's nerve would hold. He dispelled any doubts by taking a tense 21st frame, before getting in to clear up with a 116 break and claim that semi final place.

In contrast to the jubilant Doherty, Higgins was disgusted with his own performance: "I am disgusted by my performance," he moaned. "I was garbage, terrible."

"It's been a similar story all season. I've won one tournament and reached a couple of finals and semi finals but I guess I've not had to try too hard as I've earned a few quid over the last couple of years.

"But I've not been putting the work in. I've gone out on Saturday nights and not bothered practising on the Sunday so that will have to change."

Doherty will now be favourite to claim a place in the final when he starts out against Robidoux. But the Canadian, who ended the dream run of newcomer Lee Walker with a dour 13-8 triumph, does not mind the book makers writing off his chances.

"I don't mind being the underdog," said 14th seed Robidoux. "I feel much better that way. I'm looking forward to the match and I'm happy with my form."

Meanwhile, Darren Morgan claimed his chances of victory over Stephen Hendry had been spoiled by world champion boxer Prince Naseem Hamed.

The Welshman was beaten 13-10 in the quarter finals by six times champion Hendry after suffering a dreadful second session attended by world featherweight champion Hamed.

World number nine Morgan was leading 6-4 when Hamed arrived to support Hendry. But Morgan ended the session 9-7 down having lost five of the six frames watched by the boxer. Morgan asked for Hamed to be moved from a seat reserved for the press because he claimed he was being intimidated by the fighter's close proximity.

But even when Hamed retreated, the 30 year old could not recapture his form and the turn around in fortunes ultimately cost Morgan his chance to end Hendry's five year unbeaten run in the tournament.

"Hamed just walked in through the curtains with his missus and sat down right at the front," said Morgan. "I just felt he was putting me off and putting Stephen into the mode he needed to be in, so I asked politely for him to be moved. He's got the sort of face that's intimidating. It was no better when he moved because he went to a photographer's booth where the light was shining right on him and I could still see him clearly."

Hendry denied that he knew Hamed was planning to arrive and said: "It was not a deliberate tactic. You've just got to concentrate on what's happening on the table and get on with it. But I suppose you couldn't miss him with that big silver coat on."

Hendry will now face James Wattana who defeated John Parrott 13-10.