Doherty cruises in Belfast

Former world champion Ken Doherty turned on the style in the Northern Ireland Trophy on Tuesday night with a 5-0 whitewash over Mark King at the Belfast's Waterfront Hall.

And following victory, Doherty now meets either two-time world champion Mark Williams or Northern Ireland professional Gerard Greene in the last 16 on Thursday night.

"It was a good result for me, it was just what I needed," reflected the world number four. "After losing my last couple of first-round matches it's been quite difficult to take. But even though you feel as though you've been playing well and practising hard, I haven't been getting the rewards."

Doherty won the opening frame with a 47 break, before doubling his advantage with a run of 45. The popular Dubliner won a scrappy third frame and then established a 4-0 interval lead with a break of 44. And victory was assured with a cool break of 112 in the fifth and deciding frame.

"It was nice to make a century in the last frame to give the crowd something to cheer about," added this season's Pot Black Cup and Irish Professional champion.

"The first four frames were pretty scrappy, but a win is a win. You have to win gritty, scrappy frames, it can't all be about potting lots of balls and making big breaks. You have to be able to grind out a result to get the wheels turning again."