Murphy makes it a double

Shaun Murphy became only the second player to win back-to-back titles in Malta last night when he beat Ken Doherty 9-3 in the Malta Cup final at the Hilton Conference Centre.

The world no.3 was in sublime form as he dominated the best-of-17 final, showing great composure in profiting from the slightest mistakes by Doherty to take home the £20,000 pay cheque for the tournament winner.

Before Murphy secured his Malta Cup double yesterday, only Stephen Hendry, the seven-times world champion, had achieved the feat when, in 2001, he captured the Rothmans Grand Prix and European Open titles at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.

Hendry also went on to win the Malta Cup in its debut season in 2005, with Doherty and Murphy lifting the trophy in the following years.

"I'm really delighted to have successfully defended the Malta Cup," Murphy said after yesterday's final.

"This tournament ranks among the most popular among all the players. The venue is really great and the people here always make us feel at home. I hope this tournament remains on the circuit for many years to come."

It was Doherty who enjoyed the better start to the final with a stylish 91 to take the opening frame.

The second frame was a much tighter affair, it came down to the colours with Doherty requiring a snooker but after taking the yellow, Murphy took the green and brown to level the match.

Murphy slowly clicked into top gear, winning frames three and four to lead 3-1. The Englishman made it 4-1 after the break with his highest break in the match until that point, a 48.

Doherty, who prior to yesterday's final boasted two wins out of two against Murphy this season, the last coming in the quarter-final of the Wembley Masters, eventually reduced the arrears by taking frame six.

Murphy was giving nothing away and despite not compiling significant breaks, he claimed the final frame of the opening session with runs of 31 and 29 to build a 5-2 advantage.

World no. 16 Doherty is renowned for his battling qualities and he seemed intent on producing one of his trademark comebacks, similar to the one that saw him prevail over Murphy 6-5 at Wembley last month after trailing 5-2 at one stage.

Despite his brave efforts, the 38-year-old could not keep in touch with Murphy who reeled off two more frames to stretch his advantage to 7-2 - the highlight of which was a break of 75 in the ninth frame.

Doherty won a scrappy 10th frame but Murphy took the 11th to go 8-3 up. He completed his success with a cool 76 break in the final frame.

Result: S. Murphy (England) bt K. Doherty (Ireland) 9-3 - 1-91 (91), 57-24, 78-36, 100-8, 87-22, 44-75, 67-0, 56-39, 110-0 (75), 34-66, 74-30, 76-0 (76).