Larkhall's Graeme Dott is keen to make up for lost time and reach the Crucible for the World Championships after two consecutive heartbreaks.
He lost 10-6 to Martin Gould in the final round in 2020 and 10-7 to Tian Pengfei last season, having won the event back in 2006.
Now 44, he has also made the Crucible final in 2004 and 2010, and is determined to make sure he returns to a stage he's shone on previously.
The Lanarkshire potter needs to win two matches to make it to the Sheffield event, and said: “Qualifying for the Crucible is everything.
“I’ve not done it the last few years – and it has been horrible. It’s so tough because the standard is so high but you don’t want to miss out being there.
“Not being there the past few years has not been very nice so hopefully I can get back there. As you get older you do appreciate playing there because you never know when your last time will be.
“I’ve got some great memories of the Crucible, it’s amazing to think it was so long ago when I beat Peter Ebdon in the final. I’ve also had lots of nightmares there, but every player probably has. It’s the place to play, it’s just very special.”
Dott reckons he's coming into form just at the right time ahead of his next qualification bid.
Ranked as world number 35, he has recently reached the European Masters semi-finals and quarter-finals of the Turkish Masters.
He added: “Confidence is everything for players. I could have probably got to a final if I’d have played better in the European event but my game is there.
“Sometimes you can practise too much before the Crucible but I have had some nice time off and got myself ready.”
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