Snooker: Misfiring Dott fluffs his chance for 147

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Graeme Dott missed out on a maximum 147 break in Sheffield last night as he struggled against Judd Trump.

Last season's Crucible runner-up was looking good to write his place in the history books having cleared all 15 reds and 15 blacks. But with only the tenth ever Crucible maximum within his grasp, the 2006 world champion missed a difficult pot on the final yellow and his hopes were over.

If Dott had potted the remaining six colours he would have been one of only seven players to have made a total clearance at snooker's very own "Theatre of Dreams".

Dott won't be overly worried about missing out on the maximum as he finds himself 11-5 down to Trump, the sport's new kid on the block.

It was a tough night for Dott as he returned 7-1 down after the morning's opening session.

And Trump continued where he'd left off to extend his advantage to 11-2. At that stage, it looked as though the 21-year-old, last month's China Open champion, was going to win with a session to spare.

But Dott at least spared himself the ignominy of that eventuality as he rallied with breaks of 72, 122 and 120 – the latter his 147 attempt – to keep his faint hopes alive.

Meanwhile, Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins, the triple world champions, began their eagerly anticipated quarter-final yesterday. It finished deadlocked at 4-4 after the opening session, although Higgins twice squandered two-frame cushions. O'Sullivan compiled breaks of 105, 69 and a fine 89 to stop himself slipping 5-2 behind, while Higgins hit back with 53, 66 and 121 to force the pace.

Mark Williams, the two-time world champion, returns today needing two frames for a place in the semi-finals having established an 11-5 lead over Mark Allen.

The Masters, snooker's prestigious invitation event, will have a new home in London next season when it moves from Wembley Arena to Alexandra Palace.

It was also announced that the UK Championship, second only to the World Championship, will return to the York Barbican after four years at the Telford International Centre.

Both deals are for an initial year each, although World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn said he was looking for a "marriage rather than a quick date" with both venues.