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Dott and Hendry out of Grand Prix Dott and Hendry out of Grand Prix
(about 3 hours later)
Graeme Dott and Stephen Hendry both failed to qualify for the last 16 of the Grand Prix in Aberdeen after losing their final group matches on Tuesday.Graeme Dott and Stephen Hendry both failed to qualify for the last 16 of the Grand Prix in Aberdeen after losing their final group matches on Tuesday.
World champion Dott was beaten 3-1 by qualifier Andrew Norman in his final group match, while Hendry lost 3-2 to Fergal O'Brien in his fourth clash.World champion Dott was beaten 3-1 by qualifier Andrew Norman in his final group match, while Hendry lost 3-2 to Fergal O'Brien in his fourth clash.
Dott has criticised the best-of-five format throughout the tournament.Dott has criticised the best-of-five format throughout the tournament.
"I've never liked it from the minute it was decided. The whole format has to be looked at," said Dott after his exit."I've never liked it from the minute it was decided. The whole format has to be looked at," said Dott after his exit.
"My group proved that. I knew I couldn't go through in my group even if I won, so it was bizarre out there."My group proved that. I knew I couldn't go through in my group even if I won, so it was bizarre out there.
"As soon as Andrew won two frames I didn't want to win. I'd have felt worse if I'd have won. It's not right."As soon as Andrew won two frames I didn't want to win. I'd have felt worse if I'd have won. It's not right.
There's nothing wrong with the format, I think it's good for the game Stephen HendryThere's nothing wrong with the format, I think it's good for the game Stephen Hendry
"Why don't we just toss a coin for ranking points? It's so stupid.""Why don't we just toss a coin for ranking points? It's so stupid."
But Hendry, who criticised the tournament's tables following his defeat by Matthew Stevens on Monday, defended the format.But Hendry, who criticised the tournament's tables following his defeat by Matthew Stevens on Monday, defended the format.
"There's nothing wrong with the format, I think it's good for the game," he said."There's nothing wrong with the format, I think it's good for the game," he said.
"Perhaps the only thing we could maybe do is play the whole thing in less time than we have done.""Perhaps the only thing we could maybe do is play the whole thing in less time than we have done."
Jamie Cope, another qualifier, joined Norman in the knockout stages with a 3-2 win over David Roe, and now plays Robert Milkins.Jamie Cope, another qualifier, joined Norman in the knockout stages with a 3-2 win over David Roe, and now plays Robert Milkins.
Alan McManus beat Johgn Higgins 3-1 to leapfrog the defending Grand Prix champion in their group, but both players safely qualified for the next stage. Alan McManus beat John Higgins 3-1 to leapfrog the defending Grand Prix champion in their group, but both players safely qualified for the next stage.
606: DEBATE I think the shorter format is great - it really keeps the players on their toes AD 606: Have your say606: DEBATE I think the shorter format is great - it really keeps the players on their toes AD 606: Have your say
Higgins had a chance for a maximum but broke down on 120 by missing a long pot on the yellow, but with breaks of 47 and 77 McManus edged victory. Higgins had a chance for a maximum but broke down on 120 by missing a long pot on the yellow, and McManus edged victory with breaks of 47 and 77.
Mark Selby is also through to the next stage after a 3-0 win over Matthew Stevens.Mark Selby is also through to the next stage after a 3-0 win over Matthew Stevens.
Former world champion Shaun Murphy kept his faint hopes of qualifying alive with a gutsy comeback against qualifier Jamie Jones.Former world champion Shaun Murphy kept his faint hopes of qualifying alive with a gutsy comeback against qualifier Jamie Jones.
Trailing 2-0 and needing a snooker, Murphy reeled off three frames on the spin for a 3-2 win.Trailing 2-0 and needing a snooker, Murphy reeled off three frames on the spin for a 3-2 win.