Snooker: Graeme Dott remains calm despite drama

Dott's manager Pat Mooney resigned earlier in the day from the board of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. And last year's world champion John Higgins was suspended by the WPBSA, following News Of The World allegations that he and Mooney struck a deal to rig frames in return for huge money.

Thirty-two-year-old Dott kept his composure in testing circumstances, however, to open up a 5-3 lead, ahead of the evening's second session. Dott had a break of 80 in the opening frame, and the champion of 2006 added runs of 52 and 57.

Neil Robertson, in his first World Championship final, did not perform with the same gusto he had shown during the tournament, with just one break over 50. His mother, Alison, had made it to Sheffield in time for the biggest match of the 28-year-old's life.

She had set off from Melbourne when Robertson led 15-9 against Ali Carter in his semi-final, taking the gamble that he would convert the six-frame advantage into victory.

Mother and son had an emotional meeting before the session began. She said: "It was a leap of faith. We had to wait until we got here to find out that Neil had got to the final. My partner and I had made a promise that if Neil ever made it to the final then we'd come over to watch him."

Robertson also went into the match knowing that his Oslo-based girlfriend was due to give birth yesterday. He was determined to stay focused on his bid to become the first player from outside the British Isles since Canada's Cliff Thorburn in 1980 to win the world title. He had also been told to stay in Sheffield by his Norwegian girlfriend Mille.

"Hopefully she can just hang on for a few days yet," Robertson said. "She's told me just to play and not worry about it too much. Being a first time, usually they're a little bit late. Every single part of my life right now is so exciting.

"We were talking about the due date, how wouldn't it be funny if I got to the final.

"Now it's happened, it's really strange.

"I haven't been thinking about it at all during my matches but it's obviously a fantastic time for me."

Meanwhile, ladies' world champion Reanne Evans has been awarded a wild card to the men's professional tour for next season. The 24-year-old from Dudley, who has won six consecutive world titles, was expected to be invited to some events as an amateur player.

However, that has been upgraded to full tour membership, making her eligible to enter at the qualifying stage for all ranking events. Evans, who has a daughter from a past relationship with Northern Ireland player Mark Allen, said: "I was shocked but this is a great chance to put women's snooker on the map. There is no physical reason why men and women cannot compete.

"I've achieved all I can in the women's game and this is a great opportunity to improve my game. I will be practising very hard before the new season."