Ken Doherty defeated Tony Drago in a dramatic blue ball shootout to win the Mr Vegas World Seniors Snooker 900 title at Epsom Downs Racecourse.
The victory means Doherty turns into the primary participant to win a number of titles beneath the World Seniors Snooker 900 format following his emotional success at Goffs earlier within the 12 months.
Six gamers launched into Epsom for the fourth version of the distinctive and thrilling occasion with Alfie Burden, Nigel Bond and Rory McLeod every making their debuts whereas Doherty, Drago and four-time World Seniors champion Jimmy White returned.
In a repeat of the ultimate at Goffs final March, Doherty met White within the opening match of Group B. ‘The Whirlwind’ was seeking to precise revenge after ‘The Darling of Dublin’ had defeated him in that title match and a 55 clearance noticed White make the proper begin to the afternoon.
A win for 1995 world finalist and former British Open champion Bond over White on the ultimate black then arrange a dramatic conclusion to the group.
Doherty was capable of advance to the semi-finals by overcoming the debutant and scoring a excessive break of two extra factors, whereas White topped the group courtesy of his half-century beneath the tie-break guidelines.
In Group A, Burden made a assured begin to life beneath the World Seniors Snooker 900 format as he comfortably overcame each McLeod and Drago to achieve the knockout phases as group winner. ‘The Twister’ from Malta then beat McLeod to finish the semi-final line-up.
Each group winners have been toppled on the semi-final stage as Burden was defeated by Doherty, whereas White was denied a fourth consecutive remaining by Drago.
Drago, who was competing in his maiden remaining beneath the format, made the proper begin to the best-of-three contest by firing within the day’s excessive break of 93 within the opener.
The Maltese cueist was in first within the second body however broke down on 31, permitting Doherty to power a decider with a break of 56.
One other break of 56 noticed Doherty take the initiative within the decider however Drago impressively held his nerve to clear the desk and tie the body – that means a blue ball shootout would determine who took dwelling the trophy.
The 2 gamers every potted the blue ball on their first try and it was Drago who was first to blink and he put his second effort large of the goal.
After taking a second to compose himself, Doherty confidently fired dwelling the title-winning blue ball to safe his second World Seniors Snooker 900 crown.
After the ultimate, Doherty mentioned: “I’m completely delighted! I wasn’t anticipating it – I flew on this morning on a 7am flight. I really like taking part in within the 900, I really like the idea of it and it was an ideal remaining. To play Tony within the remaining was simply superb and to go right down to the blue ball shoot out was was unbelievable.”
“I used to be simply considering when he potted the primary blue within the shoot out – ‘simply attempt to cue it, don’t twitch and put your elbow within the entrance row!’ Then, when he missed the second, I used to be simply considering the identical and it simply went proper within the center and I mentioned ‘yeah’ earlier than it even went in. It was a stunning second.”
Looking forward to the 2025 World Seniors Snooker Championship, which has eluded Doherty up to now in his illustrious profession, he mirrored: “I’ve been crushed in a few finals – final 12 months towards Igor (Figueiredo) and naturally towards Jimmy White after I was 4-0 up and I collapsed like an inexpensive tent however we gained’t point out that! I’d like to win it however, if I don’t, it doesn’t matter – I’ve been very fortunate and blessed in my life by taking part in the sport that I really like. I’m nonetheless taking part in it and I nonetheless adore it!”
