Snooker: Doherty out of Thailand Masters

Defending champion Ken Doherty is out of the 2002 Thailand Masters.

The Dubliner was defeated by Stephen Lee by five frames to four - after a neck-and-neck match.

Lee constructed the highest break of his 10-year professional career, a 144 total clearance, in the second frame.

That eclipsed his run of 141 during the 1996 Thailand Open as a personal best and with a pair of 61 breaks, he went on to lead 4-3.

Doherty drew level after a century of his own, but threw away the chance to add the decider when he missed a fairly straightforward black.

Doherty made no excuses. ‘‘It was a bad black to miss,’’ he said.

‘‘I had a chance, I wasted it so I’ve only got myself to blame. At least it was a good match and it took someone playing well to beat me.’’