Ronnie O’Sullivan survives unexpected Ken Doherty scare

O’Sullivan was 3-0 and 4-1 down to Irishman Ken Doherty at UK Championship in York

Tournament favourite Ronnie O’Sullivan survived an unexpected scare before continuing the defence of his UK Championship title in York.

O'Sullivan was 3-0 and 4-1 down to Irishman Ken Doherty in their second-round clash at the Barbican, before recovering to win 6-5 in an 11th-frame decider.

While Doherty is a former world champion, he is on the Tour courtesy of a two-year invitation from World Snooker, so a win over O’Sullivan — who remains the game’s best player — would have been a huge shock.