Rank outsider Graeme Dott reached his first World Embassy Championship final
and immediately wrote off his chances of toppling Ronnie O'Sullivan as he
claimed: "How do you stop a machine?"
Dott, who began the tournament at odds of 200-1, overcame Matthew Stevens
17-15 in the semi-finals to guarantee him a minimum pay-day of £125,000 and also
regain his place in the top 16 for 2004-2005.
It is a fairytale for Dott, who was on the verge of quitting the game after
breaking his cue in frustration at his poor form when he stopped off at a
motorway service station in January on the way back from the Welsh Open.
But, with a cue he picked up from nothing from friend Andy Gibb in Larkhall in
Glasgow, Dott is now through to a meeting with The Rocket on snooker's biggest
stage.
Dott said: "I knew I would play well but I certainly never thought I would be
in the final - no chance.
"It's massive for me. Winning that match has got me back into the top 16 as
well. It's unbelievable.
"At the end of the day the likes of Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry
don't need the money - but I certainly do. It's by far my biggest pay-day.
"Everyone knows the story now about why I broke the cue, My next match in a
ranking tournament after that with the new one was against Drew Henry.
"I couldn't have beaten Lenny Henry the way I was playing. I could not pot a
ball. It is a phenomenal turnaround. I just feel so much better. I feel so
confident. I can't really believe it myself. I've sought no-one's help. I always
knew I could play."
Dott insisted: "That (the semi-final) was the final for me. How many frames
did Anthony Hamilton win against Ronnie? How many frames did the best player in
the world (Stephen Hendry) win against him? What chance have I got?
"That was basically my final. I'll try my hardest but how do you stop a
machine because that's what he is playing like.
"If he can destroy someone like Stephen Hendry what chance have I got, the
first time in the final.
"But what's the worst thing that can happen. I lose 18-0 and get £125,000 and
I'm back in the top 16.
"I can just go out and have a laugh. No-one is expecting me to win. The only
thing I'll get a chance of doing is trying to frustrate him.
"There is no chance of me trying to out-pot him because it will be 18-0.
Teams don't go to Arsenal and play wide open.
"Most players have tried to do that against Ronnie. But his safety is that
good as well. What can you do."
Dott also believes that fatigue could be a factor after playing 94 frames in
the tournament compared to O'Sullivan's 77.
He said: "You've also got to take into account how many frames he's played
and how many I've played.
"Before I came out for the last session against Matthew, I was just zonked
out in the chair.
"I am certainly feeling quite tired but when I get to the table I feel okay.
It's just like a dream."
Stevens paid tribute to Dott's efforts and said: "I asked Graeme a few
questions but for the first time in a semi-final I thought he handled it
brilliantly.
"I started to play well and put him under a lot of pressure and he responded.
I take my hat off to him."
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