Dott sums up semi defeat as ‘utter rubbish’
Furious Scot Graeme Dott branded himself “utter rubbish” as he missed out on a place in his first ranking final for TWO years.
Larkhall potter Dott crashed to a heartbreaking 6-4 defeat to Chinese whizkid Fan Zhengyi in their European Masters semi-final showdown yesterday.
And after a dismal defeat at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes, Dott blasted: “I was absolutely rubbish. I was just total and utter rubbish.
“It’s just demoralising when you play as bad as that. I made so many unforced errors it was unreal.
“I’ve got no complaints, but it’s so hard when you know you can play so much better than you’re producing.
“I thought he played really well, but how the score was 6-4 I don’t really know. He could have won by more.
“I was just really poor for some reason. My potting was bad, my cue ball control was terrible and my safety was rubbish.
“There wasn’t anything I did right, I just don’t know how I’ve won four frames.”
Former world champion Dott has battled hard all week in his quest for a first ranking title since 2007.
But the 44-year-old finally came unstuck against rising star Zhengyi, 21, who deservedly booked a place in his first ranking final.
Breaks of 131 and 58 saw him power 4-1 ahead before Dott hit back with breaks of 66 and 62 to trail 4-3.
But despite a further 54 to notch another frame on the board, it was Chinese cueman Zhengyi who triumphed with runs of 77 and84.
“I’ve not really had my game at any point this week if I’m being honest I’ve really struggled,” reflected Dott.
“I was hoping I was going to get better for the semi-finals, but I actually got worse.
“I kept trying, but I made way too many mistakes. The only way I would beat anybody playing that bad is if they struggled as well. I had no chance of winning.
“I really, really fancied the comeback when I got back to 4-3, I thought he was really starting to feel the pressure.
“I had really good chance to go 5-5, but I butchered it. There’s only so many chances you can, I just didn’t play very well at all.”
A jubilant Zhengyi beamed: “It’s hard to believe I’m in the final, it’s been an amazing week.
“I felt pressure from Graeme at 4-3, but I tried to keep calm and not think about what it would mean to reach the final.
“This is the best week of my career, for sure.”