Ken Doherty knocked out world no.1 Mark Selby en route to reaching the last 16 of the Riga Open on Friday.
The Irishman didn’t get this far in any tournament during the 2014/15 campaign but recorded three impressive victories in Latvia to embark on Sunday’s fourth round.
After seeing off Sam Harvey in round one, aided by a century 105 in the second frame, Doherty whitewashed China Open runner-up Gary Wilson before dispatching of the defending champion 4-1 in the last 32.
Now 45, the 1997 world champion’s best years are undoubtedly behind him but it just goes to show that the talent remains, even if the consistency does not.
Doherty will take on Ryan Day for a place in the quarter-finals after the Welshman came from 3-1 down to deny Luca Brecel in a decider, in what is so far a very high-quality line-up in eastern Europe.
England’s Judd Trump is the highest seed remaining but he has impressive company as 2014 runner-up Mark Allen, Barry Hawkins, Michael White, Graeme Dott and Alan McManus all emerged from their opening three bouts unscathed as well.
On Saturday the bottom half of the draw gets whittled down with the likes of world champion Stuart Bingham, Shaun Murphy, John Higgins and Mark Williams entering the fold.
Irish duo Fergal O’Brien and Davy Morris will also be hoping to join Doherty in round four.
Both face amateurs in the first round, with O’Brien taking on Callum Lloyd while Morris is up against Germany’s Robin Otto.
