Dott on the horizon

Scott Mackenzie was just one frame away from a meeting with world champion Graeme Dott after whitewashing Michael Holt in the opening session of their Maplin UK Championship first-round clash in York.

The 26-year-old from Renfrewshire reeled off eight straight frames in the best-of-17 encounter at the Barbican Centre to all but seal the last remaining second-round spot.

Breaks of 65 and 109 set the pace and success in two scrappy frames, including the 32-minute fourth, sent Mackenzie into the interval 4-0 up.

He showed no mercy at the restart, knocks of 79, 88 and 59 leaving the fiery Holt staring at defeat.

Today saw the first of the second-round matches get under way and Matthew Stevens was well-placed to advance to the last 16 after establishing a 6-2 advantage over David Gray.

The 2003 champion and two-time world finalist began with a 114 break and, although Gray won the next, the Welshman reeled off breaks of 77, 133 and 71 to move 4-1 ahead.

Gray, who made a 147 in this tournament two years ago, won the next with a 76 break, but knocks of 65 and 81 ensured Stevens a healthy lead going into the evening session.

Peter Ebdon looked as if he would run away with his match against Mark Selby but the pair were locked at 4-4 at the end of a marathon first session.

The 2002 world champion started with breaks of 125 and 110 but, in a high-quality start, world number 28 Selby responded with knocks of 99 and 76.

Ebdon continued to look his fluent best with a 96 but Selby won a topsy-turvy sixth frame before a 40-minute seventh, which Ebdon sealed after a scoreless opening eight minutes.

A 92 break by Selby then ensured parity going into the evening session.

Ali Carter was also locked at 4-4 with Stuart Bingham, while Joe Perry followed up his 9-1 first-round thrashing of Michael Judge by going 5-3 up on Barry Hawkins.

The afternoon session heralded the arrival of Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Williams and Steve Davis at the championships.