KEN DOHERTY reached the quarter finals of the Regal Masters in Motherwell last night with a 5-2 victory over Jimmy White.

And there was every sympathy for the world number 13, who on Monday attended the funeral of his eldest brother, Martin, aged 52, who died last week following a haemorrhage.

"I offered my sympathies to Jimmy and his family before the match started. While he has been struggling at the table, anyone who loses a brother will find it impossible to concentrate on playing snooker. It is just one of those things you cannot allow for," Doherty said.

"I knew it would be hard for him to play and it definitely showed in his game. You could see there was a lot more on his mind. I tried to put it out of my mind, but that wasn't easy and at the same time players react differently in situations like this.

"I remember Denis Taylor losing his mother in 1984 and then going on to win the Grand Prix and world championship.

"But to concentrate on snooker after a family bereavement as close as this one is not possible, and that's probably why the game was a bit flat," added Doherty, who won the event three years ago and retained the title 12 months later.

The 27-year-old from Dublin led 4-0, helped by breaks of 65, 35, 40 and 75. White won the next two frames, but it was all over in the seventh as Doherty followed up a break of 33 with a match-winning 34.

"I missed a couple of easy balls and Jimmy then started to play well. I just needed to get one more chance and when it came I knew I would take it, though a four-nil interval scoreline was somewhat flattering to me."

White admitted afterwards he never considered pulling out of the £175,000 event. "My brother wouldn't have wanted it. I'm a professional, front a strong family, we will get over this.

"There have been lots of things" to do and I could easily have pulled out. But you have to be professional and besides, it's not what Martin would have wanted.

"I was trying my best to concentrate at the start but I just couldn't get into the match.

"Martin's death will always be on the mind but I have to get on with my game and I'm looking forward now to the Grand Prix in Bournemouth in two weeks' time. On the other hand, it will be nice to get back home to my family."

Doherty now meets John Parrott tomorrow afternoon.