Ken Doherty beats Scott MacKenzie 5-2 in final qualifying round – Australian Goldfields Open 2011
The Darling of Dublin, Ken Doherty, has defeated the Scottish professional, Scott MacKenzie by a frame score of 5-2 in the best-of-nine frames final qualifying match of the 2011 Australian Goldfields Open tournament.
This event is being held at the World Snooker Academy in Sheffield.
It was an impressive performance from the former 1997 World Snooker Champion, Doherty, as he produced high standards of game to cruise into the last 32 comfortably. However, MacKenzie, who dominated the likes of Stuart Carrington, Andy Hicks and Tony Drago
in the first, second and third rounds respectively, crashed out in the final round.
The overall score-line between both players was 83-39, 70-0 (Doherty 65), 32-57, 89-1 (Doherty 74), 75-16, 1-68 (MacKenzie 68) and 69-55 (Doherty 53).
The opening frame was a bit cagey. Both players were seen toiling for rhythm but in the end it was Doherty who showcased his flawless safety skills to draw the first blood 1-0.
Doherty further extended his lead by 2-0 with a dominant break of 65 before MacKenzie clawed back and won the third frame without doing anything outstanding to come within one frame at 2-1.
The Irish professional, Doherty, however showed no reeling effects and took the following two frames on a bounce. He fired a mind-boggling break of 74 in the fourth before winning the fifth playing tactically to leave his opponent down by three frames with
four to play at 4-1.
The match was almost through, as Doherty now needed just one frame to seal his win but MacKenzie, who was playing slow otherwise, compiled a classy break of 68 to reduce the deficit at 4-2.
Though MacKenzie brought hopes for the Scottish fans, it was too late as Doherty finished the matters off in the seventh frame with a modest break of 53.
Ken Doherty has now set up a potential clash with the Livewire, Stephen Maguire, in the last 32. It will definitely be a promising match however let’s see who wins this one in Australia.
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