Snooker: Lee ready for crucible challenge

Stephen Lee is ready for the challenge of the Crucible after landing his second ranking title of the season in Aberdeen last night.

The 27-year-old from Trowbridge played superbly to beat Londoner David Gray 9-2 and win the £82,500 (€134,739) first prize in the Regal Scottish Open.

And Lee, who also won the LG Cup last October, is now turning his attention to the biggest tournament of them all, the Embassy World Championship, which gets underway in Sheffield on Saturday.

The world number eight has never gone further than the quarter-finals at the Crucible but is the man in form as the game’s top stars prepare for the 17-day marathon.

‘‘Every tournament is different but I’ve prepared well and if I can take some form with me to the Crucible then I fancy it,’’ Lee said.

‘‘I’ve got a tough draw but I’m ready for the longer matches. The way I’ve prepared is showing now and I’m looking forward to the championship.

‘‘I haven’t played this well at this time of the year before so I’m confident of doing well.’’

Lee has enjoyed a renaissance this season after spending three years as one of the game’s nearly men.

He won his first major title, the Grand Prix, in 1998 but only appeared in two further ranking tournament finals before his LG Cup triumph.

Last season he experienced a series of deciding frame finishes, the most disappointing of which was his 13-12 reverse to Peter Ebdon in the second round of the Embassy World Championship.

This season, he has played with greater determination and a more obvious will to succeed.

He was quoted as a 12/1 shot for the World Championship but these odds seem certain to shorten in the days leading up to his first-round encounter with Leith’s Chris Small.

Lee is drawn in the same quarter as defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan and would most likely meet Ken Doherty or Stephen Hendry in the semi-finals.

Before he considers the rigours of the Crucible, though, Lee can take a couple of days to reflect on a brilliant week in Aberdeen.

He made top breaks of 107, 95 and 70 in demolishing Gray and has now earned more ranking points than any other player this season.

Lee also becomes only the 19th player in history to earn more than £1million in career prize money.

‘‘This is all down to preparation,’’ he said. ‘‘I’ve worked harder this season than I have before and it’s nice to see it paying off.’’