KEN DOHERY brought a smile to his manager's face last night after reaching the second round of the Embassy World Championship.
The 27-year-old Irishman had been on the receiving end of a verbal bashing from leading boss Ian Doyle in the lead up to the tournament last week.
Doyle believed Doherty possesses the potential to become world titleholder but claimed his slack approach was detracting from a promising career.
"I think Ian said I was a lazy B," laughed the world number seven from Dublin after ensuring lightning didn't strike twice against Mark Davis.
Doherty lost 10-7 to the St Leonards on Sen-based professional at the Crucible Theatre two years ago. But by practising seven hours a day Doherty avoided a repeat defeat.
"I realise there is no substitute for hard work," said the Republic's captain in last year's World Cup. This tournament is special and you've got to treat it properly."
Doherty has been practising with Ronnie O'Sullivan for the last three weeks at the Ilford Snooker Centre. And last night O'Sullivan began his latest Crucible campaign against Nuneaton's Mick Price.
O'Sullivan, a semi-finalist 12 months ago, discovered that this year's qualifiers are tougher than ever by struggling throughout the first session of a match concluding tomorrow afternoon.
His best break in the first seven frames was only 28. It wasn't until he found himself 4-3 down to the world number 32 that he discovered his best form.
Back-to-back breaks of 60 and 82 gave him a slender overnight advantage but after seeing Stefan Mazrocis upset Peter Ebdon earlier yesterday O'Sullivan's position in the next round is far from secure.
Virtual unknown Mazrocis caused the biggest upset for 15 years at the Crucible with his defeat of last year's beaten finalist.
Mazrocis a 250 to 1 pre-tournament outsider reached the last 16 courtesy of a fabulous 10-3 victory over the world number three from Wellingborough.
Not since Tony Knowles thrashed Steve Davis 10-1 in the first round in 1982 has the Crucible Theatre been rocked to the foundations by such a result.
A delighted Mazrods beamed: "This is the greatest victory of my career. I came to Sheffield determined to enjoy myself whether I won or lost.
"Two years ago I qualified to play Stephen Hendry and didn't enjoy it one bit. I knew I was going to lose to him and - it was a big disappointment."
Mazrocis, who celebrated his 30th birthday two days ago, gave himself the perfect belated present thanks to this win over England's World Cup captain.
He began the day 6-2 up and never let his advantage slip away. Ebdon's renowned fighting qualities never surfaced as he bowed tamely out.
Mazrocis, whose father emigrated from Latvia prior to the Second World War, is now guaranteed a pay-day of £16,800 and a meeting against Alain Robidoux or Brian Morgan.
Ebdon said he now planned to "spend some quality time" with his wife and children following his early exit from the competition.
"It's only my job and I've just had a bad day at the office," he sighed. "I really lost the match yesterday when 1 went 6-2 down."
Earlier, former world champion Terry Griffiths almost handed compatriot Mark Williams a harsh snooker lesson in a finish to his playing career.
Griffiths, snooker's first-ever director of coaching, hangs up his cue after going out 10-9 to his 22-year-old fellow Welshman.
