Joe Swail put last year's losing finalist Ken Doherty out of the world championship in the first round at the Crucible Theatre late on Sunday.

With an overnight lead of 5-4, Swail went on to complete a 10-5 victory over the 1997 champion.

Swail acknowledged the role played by coach Derek Hill in helping him re-discover the form which has seen him twice reach the semi-finals at the Crucible.

"I knew there was something wrong with my technique and I was going into tournaments with no confidence," said Swail. "But Del sorted it out. It was just something simple - I'd developed a bad habit."

Swail, who now retains his place in the world's top 32, feels he is on the top of his game.

"I think that's the best I've ever played," he added. "Ken wished me good luck and said, 'You're playing well enough to go all the way'."

The dejected Doherty, who hails from south of the Irish border, reflected on his early exit.

"I'm very, very disappointed after going so far last year - it's either a feast or a famine and it's quite soul-destroying," he said.

World no.9 Matthew Stevens came back from 7-5 down to beat Thailand's James Wattana 10-7. Wattana was left to rue missing a good chance to take an 8-5 lead.

"I just lost my concentration and once you do that, it's hard to get it back," he said.

Stevens was relieved to chalk up a victory after a poor season.

"It's just nice to win a match here," he said. "I'd be lying if I said my confidence hasn't been down after losing so many matches."

Stevens, who now faces a second round clash with Paul Hunter or John Parrott, added: "I'll have to play a lot better if I'm to go any further."

Meanwhile, Australia's Quinten Hann became the first seed to go out of the tournament when he was beaten 10-4 by Andy Hicks in a stormy first round match.

Leading 6-3 overnight, Hicks won four of the first five frames in the final session to seal victory and then exchanged angry words with his opponent.

Referee Lawrie Annandale had to step between the pair to prevent them coming to blows.