Snooker: Doherty beaten by Higgins in Champions Cup

John Higgins ended Ken Doherty’s unbeaten Champions Cup record to storm into the final for the first time in his career in Brighton this afternoon.

Higgins defeated Doherty 5-2 in the opening semi-final.

The 26-year-old Scot will now play world number one Mark Williams or Peter Ebdon in Sunday’s best-of-13-frames final.

Doherty’s misfortune was summed up in what proved to be the final frame.

Looking in good shape to pull back to 3-4, the Dubliner potted the blue but also knocked in a red, allowing Higgins to return to the table and complete a match-winning clearance of 48.

“It’s disappointing things didn’t go my way,” said Doherty, the Welsh Open and Thailand Masters champion.

“But John played well and he was better than me on the day. However, I can’t be too downhearted because I’ve won some good matches this week.”

Higgins laid the foundations for his win in the first half of the match, making breaks of 80, 56, 57 and 59 to lead 3-1.

He also took frame five and though Doherty captured the sixth Higgins made the most of his fortune to complete a 5-2 success.