Walden wants title repeat

Walden: China champion

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Defending champion Ricky Walden feels on top of his game as he looks to retain his Shanghai Masters title next week.

The Grand Stage in Shanghai plays host to the opening rankings event of the new season, and Walden will be the man defending his title.

Flintshire potter Walden walked away with the title last year after superb victories over Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, Neil Robertson and Mark Selby - before defeating Ronnie O'Sullivan 10-8 in the final.

Having won through such a tough draw to lift the trophy last year, Walden is full of confidence as he heads out to China to defend his title.

"I've never felt better going into a season," said Walden. "I'm looking forward to getting out to Shanghai as it will be a new experience for me, to defend a title.

Crazy

"Snooker is crazy in China. Everywhere you go you get mobbed by autograph hunters. I love it because you get big crowds and they all know their snooker. It gives me a real buzz.

"Everything is going in the right direction for me and I feel as if the other players respect me more now that I've won a tournament and shown I can mix it with the big boys.

"It's definitely given me the taste to win more. I also want to get into the top 16 because I feel I belong at the venues."

Walden's first ranking event win last year saw him climb up the rankings from 35 to 20, and he hopes to go ever high this year.

Walden expects to be fighting fit as the season progresses, as he intends to run the New York Marathon on November 1.

"I've been doing a lot of running because it gives me discipline outside snooker, and it improves my fitness," he said.

"It can only help my game, especially in the long matches, and that will give me more chances to win trophies. I've done a couple of half marathons before, but never a full one. It could finish me off!"