Rocket rallies after disastrous start gives long-shot Dott cause for hope

RONNIE O'SULLIVAN overcame an horrendous start to move into a 9-7 lead at the half-way stage of his Embassy World Championship final with rank outsider Graeme Dott at The Crucible Theatre last night.

O'Sullivan had been stunned to find himself trailing 5-0 at one juncture to Dott, who was a 200-1 long shot at the start of the tournament.

But The Rocket gradually began to impose himself on his 26-year-old opponent, who had come close to quitting the game in January after smashing his cue in frustration at his lack of success.