CHALKING UP THE WINS Teen Totten clocks up victories at Scottish Open
Newmains teenage potting sensation Chris Totten enjoyed his best run in a tournament in front of a hometown crowd at the Dafabet Scottish Open.
The 19- year- old ground out a 4- 1 win against Sam Baird before edging a last frame decider over Mitchell Mann to claim a place in the last 32 of a competition for the first time as a pro.
It was eventual winner Neil Robertson who put paid to Totten’s dream of lifting the Stephen Hendry Trophy with the Australian going on to boot the teenager’s mentor, John Higgins, out of the championship at the semifinal stage.
However, Totten’s two wins earn him vital ranking points and he goes into this week’s qualifying event for the German Masters in confident mood.
He said: “It was a good week for me. It was pleasing to get out there and get a couple of wins in front of my family and friends who were there.
“I played Sam and was all set to win 4-1 and then I missed an absolute sitter.
“Thankfully I managed to win on a pink to get through.
“Against Mitchell I went 3-2 up and was playing really well but he managed to get in and make it 3-3.
“In the final frame I put together a really good break of 80 odd.”
Totten had already beaten Aussie Robertson earlier in the year during the qualifying stages for the Shanghai Masters.
However, this time around he had no answer to the eventual tournament winner. “Neil was on top form,” said Chris. “You can’t really do much when someone is playing like that but it was still a good week for me.”
Totten faces Matthew Bolton during the qualifying event in Barnsley this week.
Qualifying for the ranking event in Berlin at the end of January would be another welcome boost for the Newmains potter with more tournaments just around the corner.
This includes the qualification stages for the World Championship.
Totten’s aim is also to reach the top 64 in the world by the end of next season which would automatically renew his tour card.
He added: “There isn’t much between a lot of the players so if I could get a few wins under my belt then I can quickly get up the rankings.
“It’s only when you reach the top 32 then there is a big gap in the ranking points. I’m hoping I can get some wins between now and the end of the season and qualify for the bigger tournaments.”