Doherty makes comeback for title
Date: 20-02-2006 23:30
Ken Doherty made a stunning comeback to beat John Higgins in a thrilling Malta Cup final on Sunday winning the match 9-8. The Irishman was losing 8-5 before taking the next four frames to win the encounter, his first ranking title since the 2001 Thailand Masters.
Doherty kicked off the final well, jumping into a 5-2 lead but Higgins dragged himself back into contention winning the following 6 games.
But it was Doherty who had the final word when the 1997 World Champion stepped it up a gear to take the next four frames to take the title.
"I was dead and buried at 8-5 down because John was playing really well and I thought I'd blown it," said Doherty.
"I told myself to stick in there and the break I made in the last frame was one of my best ever because I was potting balls from everywhere.
"To beat someone like John, who's the man in form, from 8-5 down in a major final is fantastic."
"This means more than any title I've ever won apart from the World Championship because I've beaten the man in form."
A stunned Higgins had trouble explaining what had happened after being so close to victory.
"It was a crazy, crazy game," he said. "I'm completely numb. This probably won't hit home for a couple of days.
"But I didn't deserve to win after the performances I put in this week. I wouldn't have been a worthy winner."
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