By Chris Slegg and Dave McIntyre BBC Ceefax in York

Ken Doherty insists he will not take journeyman turned UK semi-finalist Drew Henry lightly when the pair battle it out for a place in the final.

Doherty avoided a match against Ronnie O'Sullivan when Henry put the world number one out in the last round.

But Doherty said: "I'll treat him with the same respect as Ronnie, John Higgins, Stephen Hendry or anyone else.

"He has beaten some great players - he also beat Stephen Lee - and is in the semi-finals because he deserves to be."

Meanwhile Higgins is confident he can bounce back from his exit at the hands of Doherty by enjoying a successful 2003.

The former world champion puts his recent good form down to modifications made to his cue.

And despite his defeat to Doherty on Wednesday, Higgins believes he has turned the corner more than a year since he last won a ranking tournament.

"I really do feel I will have a good second half of the season. I could do with one because it has been a while since I've done some damage," he said.

"The changes I've made to the cue have really helped me. It just feels right and it's something I should have done before.

"Despite losing to Ken I still feel good. I'm not too disappointed and am really looking forward to the second part of the season."

Meanwhile, Henry has his sights firmly set on a first appearance in a final after claiming the prize scalp of defending champion and O'Sullivan.

"I've had a couple of semi-finals before in the Regal Scottish and China Open, but it would be great to get to a final - especially here," said Henry.

"But I have not played well so far and will have to do much better against Ken."