Can Dott Break the Winners curse?

[thinsy]

Graham Dott seems to be in great form running up to the defence of his World Crown. I had him down to possibly making it to the semi-finals, but judging by his results in China I'm beggining to think he could make the final and even win. Being the first player to succesfully defend his first world title at the Crucible.

What's your views?

[austrian_girl]

Well, we all know that the WC is wide wide open. There are at least 10+ players who have a realistic chance of winning it. It's all about who is the strongest player on the day. To be fair, if you are in form 2 or 3 weeks before the Worlds it surely is a good sign, but it doesn't guarantee that you will be sharp in Sheffield.

Having said that, I don't know why Graeme Dott shouldn't win it. We all know he can do it and he seems quite confident. Maybe Lady Luck is on his side again this year. Come on, Dotty!

[April madness]

Dott's season as a world champion wasn't easy at all, and to see him coming to a good form after everything he went through - I think that is showing he will get far at the Crucible, and is capable to win this year.

[Maija]

There was a mention on Eurosport the other day that the winner of the last tournament before the Worlds rarely did make it at the Worlds, the last one having been John Higgins back in '98. (But do correct me if I'm wrong.)

Just the mere fact that there is so much talk of the "Crucible Curse" makes it a real factor, though, but it would be good if someone broke it...

[Semih_Sayginer]

There was a mention on Eurosport the other day that the winner of the last tournament before the Worlds rarely did make it at the Worlds, the last one having been John Higgins back in '98. (But do correct me if I'm wrong.)

there was mention of that here http://www.thesnookerforum.com/showp...tcount_11.html relating to china (whenever its been the last "major" before the WC)

id like the "curse" to be broken too, someday......

[austrian_girl]

In that case:

MURPHY FOR CHINA OPEN CHAMPION!!!

[The Statman]

Funny, I'd just posted a similar thread on the BBC.

He must have been playing well today; to outscore Higgins 380-60 (or whatever it was) in four frames, is a good performance by anyone's standards.

I think he's got just about as much chance of winning at Sheffield (and indeed in China) as anyone else.

[PaulTheSoave]

Dott seems to have stepped up a gear in his recent performance. He won his match with 4 50+ breaks, including 2 tons if I am correct. Quite impressive. his timing seems to be perfect with Sheffield coming nearer. BTW, we have a repeat of last seasons world champion semi final. Dott - ROS. Fascinating who comes out on top.

[missneworleans]

Let's see! We can't say anything before WC!

[belfast141]

Dott

He will never win the WC again..along with Murphy... 2 of the biggest fluke results in world snooker since Taylor in '85...

[thinsy]

He will never win the WC again..along with Murphy... 2 of the biggest fluke results in world snooker since Taylor in '85...

Thats a very narrow minded statement considering he is the only player to be in 2 world finals in the last 4 years... Since 2000 only 5 players have reached the final twice: Ronnie, Ebbo, Mark Williams, Matthew Stevens and Dotty, A nice group to be associated with

[PaulTheSoave]

i agree Thinsy. Whatever they say about Murphy he won it in great style, like Joe Johnson did. Attacking fluent play. Dotts' determination has to be appreciated too. Just look into the ones he defeated towards lifting the crown. A much appreciated Mr. O'Sullivan and a gritty Peter Ebdon who is one of the toughest players to beat. Credit to them both!

[Robert602]

To be brutally honest, I think Dott's standard of play during the 2006 WC was below what we'd expect of a man on the way to the title, but he did what was required of him and showed some gutsy play, particularly against Robertson and Ebdon. You can't ask more than that, had his opponents shown better form Dott might well have risen to it.

Since lifting the trophy though he's looked better and better and that's reflected in his ranking (up to no. 1 after comfortably beating Robertson and Higgins this week). He's more fluent, scoring much more heavily and is getting very used to crossing the winning line. He won't quite be favourite going into the world's but it wouldn't be a surprise if he won it again, I rate him as a top contender these days and the bookies seem to agree with me.

As for Murphy, his only good fortune was in peaking at just the right time, his play was awesome. Nobody flukes a world title, but to suggest Murphy of all people did makes me wonder whether you were watching the same tournament as I was. Any player would've had their hands full with Shaun in that form.

[chrisdebag]

you cant fluke winning the worlds

murphy was by far the best player in 2005 at sheffield and last year dott played amazing snooker his clearances under pressure

dott also reached final in 2004

nothing of a fluke about that

[Maija]

He will never win the WC again..along with Murphy... 2 of the biggest fluke results in world snooker since Taylor in '85...

IF Murphy had never ever won another tournament and had stayed deep down in the ranking forest, never again to be seen - then we could've called it a sick fluke. Didn't happen, did it? The accusation of Dott winning the title as a lucky one-off is just as silly.

I agree that there is no such thing as fluking a win at the World Championships. You may like or dislike a player, but - friendly joking aside - let us as snooker fans at least pretend to live up to the very same "gentlemanly code of conduct" that we expect the players to follow instead of making silly accusations like that.