Dott returns to form as he falls back in love with snooker

Laziness has hamstrung Graeme Dott over the past few seasons but now that he is knuckling down again, the veteran claims he is producing his best snooker for years.

Dott, right, wasted little time in dispatching young Irishman Josh Boileau 6-2 in the first round of the Betway UK Championship yesterday – making breaks of 68, 69, 76, 84, 85 and 70.

The 2006 world champion hasn’t gone beyond the last 16 of a ranking event since February 2016 but as he slowly falls in love with snooker again, he is quietly confident of a deep run in York this week.

“I played really well all the way through the match, which is always pleasing,” said Dott, 40, who now faces world No 39 Dominic Dale in round two tomorrow evening. “It’s good to play well and I’m probably playing the best I’ve played in a few years. I’ve been lazy for the past three or four years and I’ve hardly practised but I’m working with [mental coach] Chris Henry now, so I’ve been doing a lot more. It’s definitely working because I’m playing so much better. I think I fell out of love with the game a little bit and I wanted to see Chris to try something different and get motivated.”

Dott wasn’t the only Scottish veteran to advance in York on yesterday as Alan Mcmanus beat Robin Hull 6-3 to book a second-round clash with Jimmy Robertson on Sunday afternoon – but the 46-yearold isn’t feeling match sharp.

“I struggled and I was quite nervous and edgy,” said Mcmanus. “I’m struggling with a lack of match practice.

“I don’t feel very sharp but I suppose the best medicine is a match – I’ve had one and snuck through, so I can only get a wee bit better.” l Watch LIVE coverage of the UK Championship on Eurosport and Eurosport Player with Colin Murray and analysis from Jimmy White and Neal Foulds.