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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Neil Goulding

Ken Doherty suffers humiliating defeat to women's world No.1 to end British Open hopes

Former world champion Ken Doherty has crashed to the worst defeat of his career.

The 1997 Crucible champion was beaten 4-3 by women's world No 1 Ng On Yee today.

And with defeat, Dubliner Doherty failed to qualify for next month's British Open.

Read next: Inside Ken Doherty's €2.5m south Dublin home as he sells property after split from wife

Doherty has been given a two-year invitational wildcard with Stephen Hendry, the seven-time world champions, to compete on the professional circuit.

But despite having battled back from 2-0 down to lead 3-2, the 52-year-old let his advantage slip as Hong Kong's Yee claimed the biggest win of her blossoming career.

The three-time ladies world champion didn't manage a break of 50 or more, but Doherty struggled on what proved to be a bitterly disappointing day at the office.

Top Northern Ireland potter Mark Allen has already qualified for the British Open, which runs 26 Sept - 2 October at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes.

But Cork young gun Aaron Hill kicks off his qualifying quest to Friday against former World Championship semi-finalist Dave Gilbert.

Dubliner Fergal O'Brien clashes with China's Chang Bingyu on the final day of qualifying, at the Robin Park Leisure Centre in Wigan on Sunday.

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