Ronnie rematch for Dott

14 April 2012

Ronnie O'Sullivan was today due to lock horns again with Graeme Dott, the Scotsman he beat last May to win the Embassy World Championship snooker final.

O'Sullivan fought back from 5-0 down at the Crucible in Sheffield to beat world No15 Dott 18-8 and is still the player to beat this season, starting with the Totesport Grand Prix, the opening ranking event of the year.

World No1 O'Sullivan, has beaten Mark Davis (5-2) and Joe Swail (5-1) to reach the last 16 in Preston despite suffering from a chest infection, while Dott, a former British Open runner-up, has defeated Ryan Day (5-4) and Welshman Dominic Dale (5-2) to set up an intriguing showdown.

However, not a single person sat down to watch Dott's match against Dale. "Three people wandered in, but they must have been lost because they went away again," Dott said.

"At least against Ronnie there will be a full house, so I will be able to enjoy it more.

"I am not looking at it as a chance to get revenge. I just enjoy playing him. I am more relaxed than ever."

Seven-times world champion Stephen Hendry was forced to battle for his place in the last 16 as he beat Gloucester's Robert Milkins 5-3.

But Jimmy White failed to join his old foe in the third round, losing to local favourite Ian McCulloch.