Snooker: Joe Swail paid tribute to his coach Del Hill last night after causing the latest shock result of the £1.3million Embassy World Championship, when he knocked out 1997 Crucible champion Ken Doherty 10-5 after struggling to pot a ball just six weeks ago.

The Belfast-born player admitted it was a desperate measure to turn to Hill for help, linking up with the man who was coach and mentor to Ronnie O'Sullivan when he won the world crown in 2001.

"I don't believe in coaching and all that stuff," said Swail, who played superbly to turn his 5-4 overnight lead into a victory.

"But I had to bite the bullet. I lost 5-4 to Steve Davis in Malta and was bottling every chance I had to win the match.

"It was desperate measures but within five minutes of going to Del he had spotted the problem.

"And within 15 minutes we'd sorted it out," said the 34-year-old world number 27. This result is the end product. It was a simple, technical thing".

Swail made two century breaks in Saturday's first session. And while he could not reach three figures again, the 2000 and 2001 world semi-finalist made further decisive runs of 66, 85, 67 and 70.

"When Joe was in among the balls that was as well as I've seen him play," said Doherty.

"I've worked so hard for this tournament and put in so much effort. So, it's soul-destroying to lose in the first round.

"I missed a yellow for 3-0 in the first session and that was a big turning point. It would have kicked Joe in the teeth but after that he came back well."

Earlier Andy Hicks removed world number 14 Quinten Hann in a bad-tempered affair.

Hicks had to be separated from Hann when their match came close to ending in a punch-up.

Amid extraordinary scenes, referee Lawrie Annandale had to stand between the players after an acrimonious exchange of words that followed Hicks' 10-4 victory.

Controversial Australian Hann had already been warned for swearing and boiled over when Hicks shook his hand and suggested the defeat would relegate him from the game's elite top 16.