King Reigns Supreme in Championship League
Mark King has booked his place in the Championship League Winners' Group following his final win over Ken Doherty
Mark King moved a step closer to completing a career ambition of playing n the Premier League Snooker.
King beat Ken Doherty 3-1 in the final to become the fifth man to advance into the winners' group of the Championship League where the eventual winner will play in Matchroom Sport's Premier League.
"It would be absolutely wicked to play in the Premier League," said King, 34, the world number 15.
"It's the ambition of every player that plays snooker to play in the Premier League where you would play in front of big crowds every week.
"I played a bit better tonight, but had struggled a bit yesterday, but on the first day you're always a bit twitchy.
"It's just nice to get through and, like any other tournament, I'm not here to make up the numbers.
"The format of the Championship League is brilliant and whatever (Matchroom Sport Chairman) Barry (Hearn) puts up is always a fantastic idea and he is a successful businessman.
"There's good prize money for us, brilliant match practice, the conditions are good and the tables are good."
The final was between King and Doherty, who were both playing in their first Championship League group of 2009.
Once again, the player who finished top after the league phase failed to advance to the winners' group. Jamie Cope was the unlucky player this time as he went through the first stage undefeated but lost 3-0 to King in the semi-finals.
It means none of the players that have came first in the first stage of this year's Championship have gone on to book their spots in the winners' group.
The two players to be eliminated from Group Five were Barry Hawkins and Mark Williams.
