Graeme Dott booked a quarter-final berth for the first time in four years, the year in which he lifted the trophy, after beating Stephen Maguire 13-6 in the Betfred.com World Snooker Championship.
The two Scots have been occasional practise partners this season but the friendship was put firmly to one side as the 2006 World Champion showed the kind of form that saw him capture the game's biggest prize. He led 7-1 after a commanding first session and started in the same vein.
The 32-year-old from Larkhall restricted the World no.2 to 30 points in the opening four frames as he set about collecting the six needed for victory. Breaks of 130, 60, 127 and 50 put him 11-1 ahead at the interval as Maguire seemed powerless to stop him.
When they came back after the break Maguire stopped the rot with a century of his own, a 120 and followed that with an 82 but Dott claimed the fifteenth for a 12-3 lead before Maguire avoided the match being completed with a session to spare when he hit a break of 58.
The final session began with Maguire facing a huge task but he started brightly with runs of 75 and 77 to pull back to frames but the 2006 Champion was not to be denied, a break of 49 sealed the win and a match with Mark Allen.
Post match reaction
Graeme Dott
It was good to win the last frame of the session to lead 7-1 because I could sense Stephen's head wasn't quite right. But I knew he come back he could back at me. I played four really good frames in the second session and that was it, that won me the match.
You're always under pressure here [at the Crucible], you've just got to deal with it. I thought I could win this title before I came on - and my opinion's not changed.
I've got to be really pleased with the way I've performed, it's really encouraging. Everytime I've switched onto interactive Mark's been on a 147. He's in probably the best form of anyone left in the competition.
Stephen Maguire
Obviously lost it in the first session and wasn't expecting anything. After the first few frames today I knew which way it was going. He's been playing great, scoring heavy and there were a few one frame visits. He can keep you sitting in your seat, you get cold so he's doing the right thing.
I just didn't perform. There were a few frames yesterday when I wanted out the arena and you shouldn't be feeling that you should be fighting.
I just wanted to make the score respectable and not give him a session off.
.jpg)
