Ken Doherty faces a battle of the sexes to qualify for the World Snooker Championship

Never will there be more interest in a first-round qualifier

Normally we get excited about the World Snooker Championship when the action breaks off a bit closer to the end of April but we're going to be keeping our eyes peeled this Thursday for news of Ken Doherty's bid for a place at the Crucible. That's because the Irishman has been paired with Reanne Evans, who is bidding to become the first woman ever to play at the championships in Sheffield.

The 29-year-old is a superstar in ladies snooker and a 10-time world champion, while 1997 champ Doherty has failed to make it beyond the third round since 2006.

Evans was invited earlier this year to try to qualify after an official invitation from the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. Doherty or Evans will also have to win two other qualifying games to ensure of their place in the main draw which takes place later this month. If Doherty comes through he could be facing rising Irish star Davy Morris, who is taking on Lee Walker.

Fergal O'Brien will play Hammad Miah, Steve Davis faces Jamie Cope in the first round of qualifying while Jimmy White faces Thailand's James Wattana in a repeat of the 1993 world semi-final.

Doherty has just revealed his thoughts on taking on Evans later this week

https://twitter.com/kendoherty1997/status/585103923977003008

The full draw is available here.