Doherty delighted by return to form

John Higgins, installed as favourite for the Travis Perkins UK Championship after Ronnie O’Sullivan’s exit, was knocked out by a rejuvenated Ken Doherty in York.

The Scot, winner of the season’s only previous ranking tournament, had been in superb form but came up against an opponent who played his best snooker for two and a half years in the 9-6 third-round victory.