snooker Former world champ Dott made to battle all the way for victory
Battling Scot Graeme Dott avoided an upset to keep his German Masters qualifying hopes alive.
Former world champion Dott was taken to the wire by England’s Craig Steadman, the world No. 72, in the first round of qualifying at Barnsley’s Metrodome.
But the Larkhall potter clinched a hardfought 5-4 victory to make sure of a final qualifying round clash with England’s Ashley Carty today. Steadman pushed Dott hard with a top break of 91, but the 2006 Crucible champion made his experience count with runs of 60 and 59 to deservedly progress in South Yorkshire. And next up is a best-of-11 frame showdown with world No. 84 Carty. Glaswegian Anthony Mcgill locks horns with Chinese cueman Liang Wenbo in the final round of qualifying today, with victory securing a place at next month’s prestigious ranking tournament in Berlin, taking place between January 29 and February 2.
And compatriot Stephen Maguire is also in action today as he takes on Chinese potter Tian Pengfei for a place in the first round proper in the new year.
Maguire is full of confidence having reached the UK Championship final in York earlier this month. Maguire revealed: “I feel like I’ve turned a corner. I just hope I can replicate that on a regular basis.
“If I knew what clicked for me then I would have done the same thing at every tournament.
“But it’s up to me to push on because I don’t want to wait another 12 years before I get to another major final.”
John Higgins turned on the style to beat Pole Adam Stefanow 5-1.
A top break of 74 and some excellent safety play did the trick as the four-time world champion eased to victory.
Next up for the world No. 5 is a clash with China’s Li Hang today. Perth cueman Scott Donaldson must beat England’s Harvey Chandler to make sure of his qualification.