Ding puts off-colour Doherty out
Last season’s UK champion triumphed 5-1 at the Waterfront Hall, silencing the Dubliner’s supporters with breaks of 55, 70 and 69, as well as some excellent tactical play.
Doherty, who had beaten former UK champion Stephen Maguire and Thailand’s James Wattana in reaching the quarter-finals, never got going despite the vocal local crowd willing him to win.
The 1997 world champion had a high break of 68, but admitted “Lady luck was not shining on me today”.
He added: “I’m very disappointed to lose, but the crucial frames were the first and fifth. I missed two shots and that cost me.
“I love playing here (in Belfast) and I’ve had great support all week, but tonight was a bit of a let down because I never got going.
“It never really happened for me, unfortunately. I had Lady luck in my first two matches, and if I’d have had it tonight, then maybe I’d have gone through.
“But he’s a good player. He didn’t play brilliantly, but instead of 3-1 down I should have been 2-2.”
Despite defeat, Doherty was able to take some positives from an otherwise disappointing exit with the semi-finals so close.
“Reaching the quarter-finals is not the end of the world,” added last year’s Malta Open champion.
“It could have been a lot better, but it wasn’t to be. I’ll have to improve before the next tournament.”
Junhui won the first frame of the night, a tactical affair which lasted nearly 40 minutes, before Doherty hit back with a 68 run to level matters.
However, China’s rising star won the next four frames, the highlight of which were the third and sixth where he knocked in breaks of 70 and 69 respectively.
Meanwhile, Ronnie O’ Sullivan blew away Welshman Ryan Day to reach the semi-finals. The Rocket was in blistering form, playing brilliantly while cruising to a 5-1 win.
Back-to-back centuries were the catalyst for his success as twice world champion O’Sullivan racked up 455 points in five frames, racing to victory in just 58 minutes.
Day, who started with a 50 run to take the opening frame, then only managed 26 points as the former world number one hit top form.
O’Sullivan put his foot on the gas, pocketing breaks of 54, 82, 104, 106 and a match-clinching 67 in the sixth frame to secure a semi-final berth.
