Selby the 'next Higgins' - Doherty

Mark Selby was hailed as the “next John Higgins” after storming into the second round of the World Championship in Sheffield.

A comfortable 10-4 win over former champion Ken Doherty booked Selby a clash against Stephen Hendry, who needed a final-frame decider to beat Chinese qualifier Zhang Anda 10-9.

Doherty, who was making his comeback at the Crucible after failing to qualify last year, was gracious in defeat and backed Selby to go all the way.

He said: “He looks like a guy who’s really on top form and it’s always hard to play against someone like that.

“Every time you make even the smallest miscalculation, you’re punished by him clearing up and winning the frame. Over the longer distance this guy has got everything.

“He’s a great character, he’s got good bottle, he scores very heavily, and he’s got a great all-round safety game. He could be the next John Higgins. He’s that tough to beat.”

‘Jester from Leicester’ Selby also believes his game is in good enough shape to go on and win the title.

He even had a chance of a maximum 147 break, and a cheque worth £157,000, in the final frame against Doherty, but missed the 11th black ball after reaching 81.

“It’s going to be a tough game whoever I play next round and, if I win that, it’s going to be a tough one in the next one,” said the world No.7, who could have to face a world champion in every round. The match against Doherty could be followed by clashes with Hendry, O’Sullivan or Mark Williams in the quarter-finals, Peter Ebdon or Graeme Dott in the semi-finals, and Higgins or Shaun Murphy in the final.

“If I was to ask 150 people, not everyone’s going to say I’m going to win the title but, as long as I believe I can win, that’s the biggest thing.

“If I play my own game and play to my capability, I know I’ve got every chance.”

Of the missed maximum, Masters champion Selby said: “The money’s great if you get it, but I was thinking about the history and being on the roll of honour, knowing that you’ve made a 147 at the Crucible.

“It would have been a massive achievement.”