Doherty fightback downs Murphy

Ken Doherty produced a stunning comeback to dispense with Shaun Murphy in the quarter-finals of the SAGA Insurance Masters tonight.

The two-time finalist found himself 4-1 down and on the verge of a disappointing exit at this year’s event at Wembley Conference Centre.

However, the Dubliner battled his way back into the match – pocketed three centuries in four frames – and won five of the next six frames for a place in this year’s semi-finals.

“It’s a long time since I’ve played that well, especially on the big stage,” beamed Doherty.

“I’ve been practising really hard lately – and now I’m starting to see the fruits of my labour.”

Doherty trailed 3-1 at the mid-session interval after Murphy compiled breaks of 79, 62 and 50.

And when Rotherham’s Murphy – a ranking semi-finalist three-times this season - won the first frame after the resumption for a commanding 4-1 lead, the writing looked on the wall for Irishman Doherty.

However, in typical gutsy fashion the world number four – a Masters runner-up in 1999 and 2000 – raised his game and stunned Murphy.

Breaks of 56, 141 – the highest of the tournament so far – 114, 52 and 115 in the decider did the damage as the 38-year-old earnt himself a semi-final showdown with Leicester’s Mark Selby, last season’s 888.com World Championship runner-up.

“It’s all about confidence,” added Doherty, who fought back from 2-0 to beat Welshman Mark Williams 6-2 in the last 16 stage earlier this week.

“The way I played against Mark helped in that regards – and now I’m buzzing.

“I’m very pleased with my game, it’s really encouraging. That’s got to be one of my best-ever performances, it was very enjoyable.

“It wasn’t just the result, but the way I played to do it.”

A shell-shocked Murphy was left reflect on yet another victory which slipped from his grasp.

“It’s no disgrace losing to someone playing that well,” admitted the 2005 world champion.

"It’s just one of those matches, I made too many mistakes.

“Three poor shots cost me three frames, but he played fantastic snooker from 4-1 down and capitalised on my mistakes. I wish Ken all the best for rest of the tournament, he played really well.”

Masters debutant Selby also completed a memorable comeback against Stephen Maguire to secure his semi-final place.

“I’m gobsmacked to still be in the tournament,” said Selby, who battled back from 5-3 down to triumph 6-5 with a pressure break of 54 in the 11th and final frame.

“It was a massive occasion for me – and I felt it. Overall, apart from the last three frames, Stephen was probably the better player. But luckily I was able to stamp my authority on the game and didn’t give him much of a chance in the last three frames.

“Funnily I felt more relaxed when I was 5-3 down, so I’m looking forward to the semi-finals. Maybe I’ll go 5-3 behind and then see what happens.

“I was close to going out of the tournament. I’m a bit fortunate to still be in the tournament, but if I am destined to win it they’d I’d be chuffed to bits.

“I wouldn’t mind winning the tournament the way I’m playing now. It’s never over until they’ve potted that last ball. I just kept feeding myself positives because I am until he pots that final ball.”

A deflated Maguire said: “I just can’t believe I’ve got beaten. I was thinking I was in the next round, but he stepped up a gear and played great.

“Even when it went 5-4, I thought if I got my chance I’d finish it. I find it hard to take, 5-3 up was the right scoreline, but he missed a bad yellow to make it 4-4.

“He was out of the tournament bar one ball, but all of a sudden he had an extra lifeline and he took it.”