VALLETTA, Feb 6: Ireland’s Ken Doherty battled back from 5-8 down to beat John Higgins and clinch the Malta Cup final 9-8 on Sunday. It was Doherty’s first ranking title since the 2001 Thailand Masters.

He led 5-2 after the first session but Higgins, who clinched the Masters title last month, then reeled off the next six frames.

But his victory chances were shattered when the Scot missed a simple red on 43 in the 14th frame and Doherty clinched the frame on the blue. A 61 took Doherty to 8-7 before wrapping up the 16th to level the final at 8-8 and he clinched the title with a break of 63.—AFP