Ken Doherty rolls back years with qualifying win at German Masters snooker as Robert Milkins boosts tour survival hopes
Published 07/01/2026 at 11:22 GMT
Ken Doherty fired a superb break of 134 as the 1997 world champion rolled back the years with a 5-4 win from 4-2 down over Wang Yuchen in German Masters qualifying in Sheffield. There were also victories for Robert Milkins, Anthony McGill and Matthew Stevens in the chase to secure a spot at Berlin's Tempodrom. The German Masters is live on TNT Sports and discovery+ between January 26-1 February.
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Ken Doherty produced a vintage comeback performance to book his place in the second round of qualifying for the German Masters at Ponds Forge in Sheffield.
The 1997 world champion trailed world No. 69 Wang Yuchen of Hong Kong, who compiled 109 to lead 4-2, but Doherty produced knocks of 134 and 83 to keep himself in the hunt for a trip to the final stage at Berlin's Tempodrom later this month.
He will take on Lyu Haotian on Wednesday night at 19:00 UK time, live on discovery+, with the winner earning a place in the last 64 and a meeting with Stuart Bingham on Thursday afternoon at 14:30.
Former Welsh Open champion Robert Milkins, who has dropped to 56th spot in the rankings, also picked up a vital win in his bid to avoid dropping off the tour as he defeated Dylan Emery 5-2.
'The Milkman' will face defending champion Kyren Wilson in Berlin with their meeting in the last 64 held over to the main stage.
Recent British Open finalist Anthony McGill dumped 14-year-old Polish prodigy Michal Szubarcyzk 5-1 to secure a last-64 clash with Hossein Vafaei on Thursday at 10:00.
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Meanwhile, former UK and Masters winner Matthew Stevens defeated Mahmoud El Hareedy of Egypt 5-1, boosted by a highest run of 102 with his opponent staving off the whitewash with a 116 in the fourth frame.
Next up for Stevens is a third-round match with Zhang Anda on Thursday with the winner advancing to the last 32 at the German capital's Tempodrom.
Wilson is the defending German Masters champion following his 10-9 win over Barry Hawkins in last year's final.
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2012 winner Ronnie O'Sullivan is set to make an appearance at the German Masters for the first time since 2017.
The seven-time world champion is due to open his campaign against Long Zehuang or Zhao Hanyang in Berlin.
Ahead of that fixture, O'Sullivan is set for a first competitive match of the year when he faces Neil Robertson at the Masters in London's Alexandra Palace next Wednesday at 19:00.
The 52nd staging of the sport's greatest invitational event begins on Sunday, January 11 and is live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the Masters, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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