Dott just might be driven by the fear of failure

GRAEME Dott hopes the fear of not qualifying for the world championship will drive him towards success.

The 32-year-old Scot, who lifted the world crown in 2006 after beating Peter Ebdon 18-14 in the final, has returned to The Crucible every year since 2000.

His prospects this year will hang on today’s qualifier against Pontefract potter Jimmy Michie at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.

Dott, who is attempting to get back into the top 16 of the world rankings, admits having to qualify is a frightening prospect – although he is confident his vast experience will pull him through.

Dott, who was also world championship runner-up to Ronnie O’Sullivan in 2004, said: “This is a massive match for me, one of the biggest of my career. No one likes having to go through the qualifiers because there is so much at stake.

“I have been playing all right and I am confident enough. It’s years since I have played Jimmy. He’s been about for a while and he is a good player.”