Stevens Out Of Welsh Open But Sees Promise For Sheffield

Matthew Stevens insisted his main target is the World Championships after he was edged out of the Welsh Open by Martin Gould.

Stevens failed to follow fellow Welshman Mark Williams into the last 16 at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena after he lost 4-3 to Englishman Gould.

Unhappy with the slow pace of the table at the event, 38-year-old Stevens insists he has been happy with his form this week and will go to Sheffield in April in good spirits.

“I’m not disappointed, it would have been nice to go further, but I’m happy with the way I’m hitting the ball and I’m encouraged with the way I’m working,” said Stevens.

“I’ve been working on everything for the last few months so it’s the build-up to the World Championships now and I’m looking forward to that. It’s not tough at all to accept that defeat.

“I should have gone 3-1 up, really, but I lost that one on the black. It doesn’t matter who you play, you’re always riding your luck a little bit and it only takes one or two shots either way.”

Stevens’ current world ranking of 47 means he will need to win three qualifying matches to reach the World Championships which begin on April 16 at the Crucible Theatre.

Williams eased into round four after a 4-2 victory over Kurt Maflin, although he must now play world No.1 Mark Selby.

It’s a prospect that hold no fears for Williams who says he will continue his ‘shoot-on-sight’ policy he has adopted this week.

“My main aim was to play as fast as I can; as soon as I see the shot, just pull back and hit it. No pause, no thinking, just hit it and stop thinking about things I have been thinking about,” says Williams.

“I potted quite a few long ones and made a few good breaks so I’m going to go out with the same mindset again.

“Obviously, it’s not really the way to play – you’ve got to take your time and show some composure.

“But I just felt in the last two games I’ve been thinking about things too much and playing slower.

“I had to change something and do something different because I’m playing too many matches like that.

“So I thought I’d go back to how I was when I was a youngster – as soon as I see it just pull back and hit it and wherever the white finishes get down and hit it again.”

Williams will face Selby in the last 16 tomorrow and says the world’s best player is not a step too far.

“I look forward to it – it should be on the TV table and in front of a good crowd and I’ve got a very good record against Mark Selby.

“He’s the best player in the world and obviously he’ll be very difficult for me but if I can get that kind of form going then I’m going to be a handful for him.

“I know I’m going to be a very tough match for him and it’s only best of seven so anyone can win.”