Ken Doherty’s hopes of winning his first World Senior Championship title will have to wait another year after he lost 5-2 to in-form Igor Figueiredo in Sunday’s final at the Crucible Theater in Sheffield.
The popular Irishman was hoping to become the first player in history to win all of the sport’s world titles, winning professional, amateur and Under-21 crowns during a glittering 34-year career.
But Brazilian Figueiredo picked up where he left off and secured a commanding victory over defending champion Jimmy White (3-0) and Maltese speed merchant Tony Drago (4-1) to secure a high-profile final. and won the title for the first time.
Doherty got off to a strong start with a 100 break in the opening frame, but the powerful Rio de Janeiro cueman rallied with knockouts of 72 and 93 to take a 3-1 victory with a mid-session break.
With knocks of 50 and 56, Doherty survived a final by winning the sixth frame after his opponent fended off a close fifth frame to take a 4-1 lead, but Figueiredo closed it out with a superb clearance of 88. In the final, he became the first major winner from South America. Major for the 2023/24 snooker season.
“He played great,” Doherty said. “He finished the game in style. He deserved the win. He played much better today than I did. I came a little short, but congratulations to Igor. He’s a great guy. Just say good job.”
The win is worth at least £32,500 to the new champion, who will earn £20,000 for the win and a further £12,500 for a place in the elite Champion of Champions event in November .
“I’m very happy. I just want to control my emotions every time I take a shot,” Figueiredo said, standing next to his wife Camila. “It’s very good for me, this is very special to me.
“My wife is very important to me. She supports me in life. She gives me a lot of support. Thank you, God.”
World Senior Championship Results
1st round (5 slots)
- stuart watson 3-0 Tony Knowles
- ken doherty 3-1 Tyson Krinis
- James Wattana 3-2 Rodney Goggins
- Igor Figueiredo 3-1 Tessa Davidson
- Tony Drago 3-1 Michael Judge
- jimmy white 3-2 Andrew Norman
- Dechawat Pumjen 3-1 Darren Morgan
- barry pinches 3-1 Joe Johnson
Quarterfinals (first to win 5 frames)
- Jimmy White 0-3 Igor Figueiredo
- Stuart Watson 1-3 Tony Drago
- Dechawat Pumjen 2-3 ken doherty
- barry pinches 3-1 James Wattana
Semi-finals (7 spots won)
- Igor Figueiredo 4-1 Tony Drago
- ken doherty 4-1 Barry Pinch
Final (best of 9 frames)
- Igor Figueiredo 5-2 Ken Doherty