DUDLEY snooker star Reanne Evans faces a tough task in her attempt to become the first woman to reach the main stages of the World Championship.

Evans, 29, has been drawn against former champion Ken Doherty.

Doherty, 45, won the tournament in 1997, but the current world number 43 has not reached the third round since 2006.

Ten-time women's champion Evan, who received an invitation to the qualifying round from snooker's governing body, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), will take on the Irishman in the first qualifying stage in Sheffield this Thursday.

The winner must make it through two more qualifying rounds to reach the main draw, which starts on 18 April.

The tournament has increased this year from 128 to 144 players. The top 16 seeds automatically qualify for the first round, with all non-seeded players starting in the first of three qualifying rounds which run from April 8-15.