Doherty beaten in China Open qualifiers

Irish snooker star Ken Doherty has failed to qualify for the China Open after an embarrassing defeat against a rookie opponent today.

Doherty was thrashed 5-0 by 19-year-old Bristol player Judd Trump in the fourth and final round of qualifying at Prestatyn.

Ireland’s Michael Judge also failed to qualify, narrowly missing out after a 5-4 defeat to this season’s Shanghai Masters champion Ricky Walden.

Steve Davis was beaten 5-2 by Preston’s Stuart Pettman. Stephen Lee advanced, denying Jin Long a chance to perform in front of his home crowd in March.

Welshman Matthew Stevens’ tough times continued as he slumped 5-4 to Liverpudlian Rod Lawler.