O’Sullivan scrapes past unlucky Doherty in quarter-final thriller
The ‘Rocket’ sank a pressure 115 break in a final-frame decider to secure a 6-5 quarter-final victory at the Wembley Arena.
But Dubliner Doherty, runner-up in 1999 and 2000, missed two good chances to book his place in this year’s semi-finals.
Leading 5-4, he had a bad kick on a routine red and missed another shot on a red at 5-5, one which could have presented a match-winning opportunity.
O’Sullivan, with breaks of 77, 85, 53 and 93 before his cool 115 took full advantage to guarantee himself at least £32,000 (€48,700) in prize-money.
The Chigwell potter did not make any comment following the win after being given special dispensation by World Snooker, the sport’s governing body, not to fulfil his media commitments this week.
World Snooker said “it is not in the interests of the player, the tournament and the sport” for O’Sullivan to speak to the press this week.
An understandably disappointed Doherty reflected: “I got an horrendous kick, which cost me the match without a shadow of a doubt.
“It’s horrible to get a kick at such an important stage because I was on top of the match.
“For that to happen is hard to take. It’s just part and parcel of the game, but it’s hard to take at the time.
“These things happen at the worst possible moment — and that was it.”
Doherty, who had match breaks of 52, 42, 74, 49, 84 and 81, added: “I felt great out there.
“It was a really great match to be involved in. I think the match had everything. It had good safety, good potting and good breaks as well.”
nIn yesterday's other quarter-final, Scotland's Stephen Maguire beat Australian Neil Robertson 6-2.
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