Yorkshire hopes of a white rose triumph in this year's UK Snooker Championship vanished as Leeds star Paul Hunter's sudden loss of form continued yesterday and he went out 9-4 to former world champion Ken Doherty, last year's UK beaten finalist.

Trailing 5-3 overnight, the young man from Batley was unable to make any inroads as the Irishman began to show his best form of the season and completed his victory with a 126 clearance.

Hunter, who won the British Open title last month, said: "There are days when nothing goes right for you and you just have to live with it. I couldn't really get going. I got an ear infection after my first match which didn't help, but I don't want to make any excuses.

"I'm disappointed to lose, but I've had a good year and I'm still holding three titles. I'll go home and have a good Christmas then I'll be back to defend my Regal Welsh title in Cardiff next month."

Doherty, who plays either Steve Davis or John Higgins on Thursday in the second quarter-final at the Barbican Centre, said: "My safety play was very good and having won two tough matches in the UK Championship can only give me confidence."

Stephen Hendry, five times UK champion, was very pleased with his form after overcoming fellow Scotsman Graeme Dott 9-5 yesterday, said that he was hitting the balls as well as he has done at any time this season.

He next plays the winner of today's third round match between former world champion and Edinburgh's Chris Small. "I would like to have a go at Mark as I want to pit my wits against top players, though I am not taking anything away from Chris," added Hendry.

Ronnie O'Sullivan struggled to get off the ground last night but took a 5-3 lead into this afternoon's finishing session of his third round match against Hong Kong's Marco Fu.

O'Sullivan never really showed the Barbican crowd the fast, free-flowing snooker that is his trademark. Indeed, Fu struck first, taking advantage of an O'Sullivan foul to knock in a 107 in the opening frame.

But with the second frame came the scrappy nature that dominated last night's opening session, with neither player seeming keen to take the initiative.

With the match level at the break 2-2, frame five could have gone either way, O'Sullivan eventually clearing up to take it 63-55.

Into six and the Rocket showed flashes of his class, but still fluffed a couple of chances and allowed Fu to draw level again.

Higgins took a 5-3 overnight lead into this afternoon's closing session against Davis, missed chance of a147 maximum break. After potting 14 reds he missed a difficult 14th black, with the cue ball close to the top cushion and the black in its spot. Davis clinched the final frame with a dramatic clearance that brought back memories of old.

World No 33 Robert Milkins, from Gloucester, survived a fightback by former world championship finalist Matthew Stevens to reached the last eight.

Milkins, the lowest ranked player left in the tournament. Trailing 8-3, Stevens won the next five frames to take the match to a deciding frame.

World No 22 Drew Henry, who beat Jimmy White in the second round, came from 6-4 down to beat world No 7 Stephen Lee 9-8.

World champion Peter Ebdon was back in action today, with his third round match against Alan McManus starting this afternoon and finishing tonight.

Tomorrow's matches:

10am: Disabled final (entry free to spectators)1pm and 6.45pm: First two quarter-finals (O'Sullivan or Fu v Henry; Ken Doherty v Davis or Higgins).


Updated: 13:23 Tuesday, December 10, 2002