Graeme Dott, the 2006 888.com World Snooker Champion, won his first ranking event in over 11 months when he beat Stoke's Jamie Cope 9-5 in Beijing to lift the 2007 China Open trophy, making this the second ranking title of his career. He also now leapfrogs Dubliner Ken Doherty to move into the No 1 position in the provisional rankings.
The event was the first tournament of a new five-year deal between World Snooker and the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association and its promoter International Sports Limited.
Cope reached his second ranking final of the season, his last was against Australian Neil Robertson at the Royal London Watches Grand Prix in Aberdeen.
Dott who beat Ronnie O'Sullivan and fellow Scot John Higgins on his way to the title said: 'I played ok today, I could have played better. But the main thing in a final is to win and that’s what I did,' he continued, 'Usually I lose in the first round here but I’ve beaten Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins on my way to the title here so I’ve done it the hard way.'
Dott had tears in his eyes as he celebrated victory. 'It’s been an emotional few months,' he added. His manager and father-in-law, Alex Lambie, died in December, then wife Elaine had a cancer scare in January.
'I came out to China a few days early for a tour (of Inner Mongolia) and played a few exhibitions. That really helped me as I got over my jet lag and I felt ready for the tournament.'
Stoke’s 21-year-old Cope said: 'I was pleased with the way I played. I wasn’t brilliant in the semis or the final but I’ve got to be happy with the week. I didn’t feel tired during the final, I think it’s just a question of getting that winning belief.
Once I get my first title it will set me off and by the law of averages I must win one eventually. I’m only 21 and I’m looking forward to winning titles. To get to two finals this season is brilliant.'
In the first session Cope seemed jaded and Dott took the advantage going 6-2 ahead at the end of the afternoon. But in the evening session Cope sparked into life and pulled back to only a one frame deficit at 6-5 which included quickfire breaks of 90 and 77.
Dott did not let this unsettle him and he responded with a break of 124 to take a 7-5 lead into the mid-session interval. He followed this with a break of 126 in the next with four to play.
With one more frame needed for victory Dott chipped away in a scrappy affair to gain a 27 point lead, finally securing victory with a blue and pink.