Dottends season of hell with a last-16exit
GRAEME DOTT last night crashed out of the snooker World Championship then admitted he’s delighted his horror season is finally over.
The 2006 champ has only won nine matches in a dire campaign and ended with a 13-6 loss to former finalist Barry Hawkins in the second round at the Crucible.
Larkhall potter Dott, who recently enlisted coach Chris Henry to help with the mental side of his game, said: “I’m glad this season’s finished, it’s been a disaster.
“My game was in bits at the start of the year but I can take some positives from reaching the last 16 of the Worlds. It’s ended better than I expected after the season I’ve had.”
Hawkins begins his quarter-final against Glasgow’s Stephen Maguire today, with a potential semi-final against John Higgins on the cards.
And Hawkins is delighted to see pal Maguire back where he belongs after coming through qualifying.
He said: “I have the utmost respect for him. I’m surprised he hasn’t done better in the game but he’ll be the first to say he’s abused himself a little bit.
“We all like a drink now and then but he’s enjoyed himself a little too much.”
Mark Selby continued his title defence with a 13-6 victory over Chinese cueman Xiao Guodong and faces Neil Robertson or Marco Fu in the last eight.
Higgins steps up his glory bid with two sessions today against Kyren Wilson.