McManus and Doherty Roll Back They Years at PTC5
Alan McManus and Ken Doherty will roll back the years as they face-off in the first round of the Players Tour Championship Event 5 in Sheffield this week, a repeat of the 1993 Welsh Open, where the Irishman prevailed by nine-frames-to-seven.
The two players both turned professional in 1990 and have enjoyed illustrious careers with Doherty’s highpoint coming at the 1997 world championship and McManus’ a few years earlier where he ended Stephen Hendry’s Wembley dominance at the Masters.
Scotland’s McManus has shown the best form in the new PTC event and is currently standing at 39 on the latest Order of Merit, while Doherty languishes outside the top 100.
The pair both put in a good show at the recent 12Bet.com World Open in Glasgow, reaching the final stages before losing to Barry Hawkins and Stephen Maguire.
Whatever the outcome, the match is sure to combine fierce rivalry with a hint of nostalgia as the popular duo battle it out for the right to play Judd Trump in round two, assuming the youngster overcomes either former Paul Hunter scholar, Adam Duffy or Lee Farebrother.
Other mouth-watering clashes in Sheffield include Stephen Hendry against Matthew Stevens with the winner on course for a showdown with The Whirlwind, Jimmy White in the last 64.
Brazil takes on Thailand as Igor Figueiredo takes on Issara Kachaiwong with a possible re-match for “Smiling Igor” Mark Williams, who is currently ranked number two on the PTC Order of Merit after reaching the last four in Belgium last week.
World champion Neil Robertson, currently lies at number 68 and faces another tough opener against top-16er, Mark King.
