ISLAMABAD,: Ireland’s Ken Doherty came from 4-2 behind to beat Pakistan’s cueist Mohammad Sajjad 5-4 in the wildcard round of the Shanghai Masters. Former World champion Doherty was in danger of a shock defeat as Sajjad won four of the first six frames with a top break of 63, Doherty’s only run of note coming in frame five when he rolled in a 109, said a message received here on Tuesday.
Sajjad had a chance for victory in frame seven but missed an easy red to a centre pocket on 24, and Doherty hit back with a 79. A fragmented eighth went the way of Doherty and he sailed through the decider with an 83.
“That’s the third time in three ranking event matches I’ve gone to a deciding frame and I’ve won all three. I felt pretty calm,” said Doherty.
“He should have beaten me, he had chances at 4-2 and 4-3. But after he missed that red in the seventh frame he tightened up.”
“These games are hard for the professionals because we’re worried about the ranking points, while the wild cards have nothing to lose,” he added. – App