Ken Doherty continued his promising start to 2005 by defeating Hong Kong's Marco Fu 5-1 last night to reach the quarter-finals of the Welsh Open in Newport.
Doherty, the winner in 1993 and 2001, followed his 5-2 defeat of Joe Swail in the opening round with another competent display, which was highlighted by a break of 133 in the second frame.
"I felt totally relaxed out there and played the kind of game I know I'm capable of producing," Doherty, the seventh seed, said.
The Dubliner will play Scotland's Stephen Hendry tonight (7 p.m.) for aplace in the semi-finals.
Today's other quarter-finals sees Peter Ebdon play Barry Hawkins (10 a.m.), Ronnie O'Sullivan take on Neil Robertson (1 p.m.) while Mark King and local lad Ryan Daly do battle at 4 p.m.