Perry demolition dumps Dott out of World Championships

Graeme Dott suffered his heaviest defeat at the Betfred.com World Championship this morning as Joe Perry completed a 10-1 demolition of the Scot.

The 34-year-old Larkhall cueman, world champion in 2006, had been 8-1 down overnight and offered little resistance when play resumed at the Crucible.

Perry goes on to play Stephen Maguire in the last 16.

Dott was frank about his performance, admitting it was a shocking display.

“I played terrible. I don’t think I’ve played worse, not only at the Crucible but as a professional. I just couldn’t pot a ball,” the three-time finalist said.

“I’ve not really played well all season. But normally when I come here I play pretty well, but you can’t rely on playing well here all the time. You’re eventually due a stinker. But to play as bad as that is hard to understand, it’s demoralising.

“I couldn’t have cared less if it was a whitewash, what difference would it make? Ten-nil or 10-1, it’s still a drubbing. I lost 10-7 to Joe Perry here once and he played fantastic, I couldn’t give him any more high praise.

“But he’s beaten me 10-1 there and he’s played rubbish. Joe’s not played well at all there. I’m sure he’ll say he needs to play a lot better to win his next match.”

Perry accepted he had not played well - his highest break was just 59 - so to win so emphatically came as a surprise.

The Cambridgeshire player said: “It is the worst I have ever seen Graeme play, we all know what a good player he is and one who won’t throw the towel in.

“It was such a strange game, it was difficult yesterday seeing Graeme struggling and it started to affect me in the end, I felt for him and lost concentration.

“I know what it is like, I have been there myself, and I was just happy to get out with such a big lead at 8-1.

“I wasn’t happy with my own game, and was just trying not to feel sorry for my opponent. As a professional sportsman you can’t do that but it was tough.

“I wouldn’t have particularly wanted to whitewash Graeme.”