SNOOKER: DOMINIC Dale was oozing with confidence after a convincing win in the second round of the Betway UK Championship on Saturday.
The Coventry cueman was understandably relaxed and happy after booking his place in the last 32 by beating 2006 world champion Graeme Dott 6-3 at the York Barbican.
Considered arguably the best player never to have broken into the world’s top 16, despite being a two-time ranking event winner, Dale was far more pleased after the Dott triumph than following his gruelling 6-5 first-round win over Sanderson Lam.
“I feel a lot better after that match. The first one was a pint of blood,” said Dale.
“I have won tournaments and I still have ambitions to do well in tournaments. I’m out there to win.
“There’s a lot of pressure on players and I felt it, I was struggling. I saw a big difference in me from the first round.
“I’m more myself. I’m far more relaxed and I was able to play much better as a result of that.”
Dale made breaks of 113 and 70 en route to establishing a 5-1 lead and although Dott fought back to narrow the deficit to two frames, the world No.38 eventually got over the line.
“I started the first frame a bit too cautiously, I had a good lead of 30-odd points but made a couple of bad safety errors,” added Dale.
“I realised straight away that I needed to play a bit quicker and bully him a bit more.
“I used to be a lightning-fast player in my amateur days so it’s always there. I just need to lose the hesitancy, go for a few and make it look like I’m there to win the match.”
Dale, who last won a ranking title nine years ago by clinching the 2007 Shanghai Masters, is likely to face Shaun Murphy in the last 32 in York – providing the world No.6 can overcome Robin Hull on Sunday evening.
And the 44-year-old is under no illusions about the challenge the 2005 world champion would pose.
“He’s one of the greatest technicians in the game, one of the greatest cue-ists,” added Dale.
“He’s one of my favourite players. I’m really looking forward to it, I’ve won two matches now, I’m full of confidence. I’m happy with my game.”
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