Snooker: In-form Dott proves a point

GRAEME DOTT reached the first semi-final of his career yesterday, recovering from a 4-2 deficit to defeat Paul Hunter in the Scottish Open in Aberdeen.

Just as he had done against the former world champion, John Parrott, in the previous round, Dott triumphed 5-4, much to his own surprise.

"At no stage did I ever think I was going to win," said the 21-year-old Glaswegian, who was one of four Scotsmen - the others being John Higgins, Alan McManus and Stephen Hendry - competing on quarter- final day at the Exhibition and Conference Centre.

"But when I got back to 4-4 I thought I might have a good chance. I know it was a scrappy game, but as long as you win it doesn't matter how unattractive the match is.

"When I was playing like that in the past I would get annoyed and ended up losing. Now, I'm out there to win any way I can, and it doesn't matter if a frame takes an hour as long as you win it."

Dott's new mental toughness has resulted from a lengthy meeting with Terry Griffiths, the former world champion.

The determined Dott revealed that after beating Parrott he had spent four hours at Griffiths's Llanelli home after the Welsh Open discussing ways to "put my head straight".

Until his meeting with the respected Welshman the world No 30, who turned professional in 1994, had contemplated giving up the game for good. Now, he says, he is glad he listened to the voice of experience. Dott is guaranteed pounds 16,000, which is easily the biggest cheque of his career thus far.

It was not the best of matches against the 20-year-old Hunter, who had himself knocked out the defending champion, Ronnie O'Sullivan, in the last 32. Hunter's best break was just 49, while Dott saved his best until last with a run of 60 to take control of the decider.

However, the match was won and lost in the penultimate frame. Hunter was in the driving seat, with Dott needing snookers until he unluckily potted the pink trying to play safe off the final blue.

Dott then fluked the blue off two cushions and went on to take pink and black to keep the game alive. Hunter led 32-0 in the decider but then ran out of position. Dott made 60 and eventually forced the concession when he knocked in the brown ball.

"I had my chances to win 5-3 but couldn't take them," said Hunter, who had also been 3-1 up at the interval."

Dott added: "When you get to the semi-final your aim is to go on to win the tournament - not to settle for reaching this far in the event."