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DOTT SEES OF SELBY FIGHTBACK

Postby footygirl

GRAEME Dott withstood a gritty fightback from Mark Selby to book his place in the final of the world championships here in Sheffield.

The Jester from Leicester put up a herculean fight but was nevber able to to establish parity with the Scotsman who will now go for a second world title. A title he claimed in 2006 against Peter Ebdon.

Just months ago Dott was on the verge of dropping out of the top 32. Now he is certain of a return to the top ten in the provisional rankings. Dott has overcome a lot of personal difficulties and his run is of fairytale proportions. The diminutive Scotsman, never really given the recognition he deserved for his world title victory in 2006 now has a chance to silence those who sniped at his success, citing him a one hit wonder.

Selby though was quickest to settle in the opening frame when he resumed 10-14 with the help of a 46 break. Encouraged he followed up his success by capitalising when Dott lost position on the reds. Even worse he left Selby with an easy red to the corner. Selby needed no second invitation as he rolled in a break of 79 to reduce his deficit to 12-14. The Scotsman was reeling from the onslaught of the Leicester professional who banged in a long red to set off on a break of 83.

With three frames out opf the first four in the bag for Selby Dott badly needed to take the one before the Mid Session Interval. But nothing seemed to be coming easily for the former world champion who had been frozen out of the first three frames. Consequently he had not been able to establish any rhythym. Finally though he was given a chance by Selby who managed to leave a mid length red for the Scot. With nothing less than painstaking effort Dott strung together a vital 46 to account for the 28th frame and ease his worries to lead 15-13.

Resuming for the final act it was Selby who re-asserted himself to trail 115-14. Dott though still needed two frames for victory, and the first one came when he managed to keep things sufficiently tight to prevent Selby from re-establishing his rhthym. The fight was drained from Selby who's b reak off in the next frame presented Dott with a chance of a long red. Hanging on for all he was worth Graeme rolled in the long red and stroked in a further 46 points. Selby by now was gone mentally and physically and Dortt was ready to applyu the coup de grace asd he negotiated a snooker to lead 66-9, needing just one more red for victory. And it came soon too as Selby missed an easy red to allow Dott to sink the red that mattered most and close out a stunning victory 17-14.

So now to the final. It is Scotland versus Australia, Dott versus Robertson, The Scotsman biodding for a second wqorld title and appeariong in his third world final against the man who can make history by becoming the first Australian to lift the world title.

Let battle commence

Suzy Jardine - The Crucible