Former World Champion Graeme Dott is desperate to get back to the Crucible, but first faces the test of the Betfred.com World Snooker Championship qualifiers at the English Institute of Sport – Sheffield (EIS Sheffield).
The Pocket Dynamo has been ever present at the Crucible since 2000, reaching the final in 2004 then enjoying the best moment of his career in 2006 when he beat Peter Ebdon 18-14 in the final.
But after a loss of form in 2007 and 2008 which saw him go 16 months without winning a match in a ranking event, Dott dropped out of the top 16. He is now showing signs of getting back to his best, including a run to the last 16 of the totesport.com Welsh Open.
The qualifiers take place from February 26 to March 9 at EIS Sheffield with 16 lucky winners going through to the televised stages at the famous Crucible Theatre in Sheffield in April.
And 32-year-old Dott, from Larkhall, is looking ahead to the EIS Sheffield test with trepidation. “It’s the worst match anyone can play in,” he told CueNews.
“I won’t feel happy if I win – just relieved. It will probably be a very tough match, especially as I’ve not played in the qualifiers for quite a few years.
“I’ve never been to the qualifying venue in Sheffield, not even to watch, so I’m not sure what it’s like. Unless Daniel Wells or David Gray get through from the first round, I’m due to play either Andy Hicks or Jimmy Michie. They are both very hard opponents. It doesn’t really matter who you play, you just have to deal with the pressure.
“If you lose that match it kills you. Especially if you have already qualified for China, it must be heart-breaking to go out there and know you are not going to be at Sheffield.”
Dott, who stands 20th in the provisional rankings, added: “I’m doing ok so far this season. I’m still a fair way off the top 16, but I’d love to get back in there so I don’t have to go through the qualifiers next season.”
Tickets are on sale, costing just £5 per day on February 26 and 27, £5 per session from February 28 to March 5, and £7.50 per day for the final qualifying round, which runs from March 7 to 9.
To book your place call 0114 2565656 or visit http://www.sheffieldcityhall.co.uk. For the draw and schedule of play, see www.worldsnooker.com.
