Stevens eyes ranking rise

Stevens: Ranking hope

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Matthew Stevens believes just one good week in a ranking event can catapult him back into the world's top 16, and his first target is the Welsh Open starting Monday.

Two-time Crucible finalist Stevens slipped out of snooker's elite three years ago and has struggled with form since, but now sitting in 20th provisionally he hopes to get back into the top 16.

Qualifying for the ranking events has been tough, but former Masters and UK champion Stevens has won through to every event this year, and feels like he needs just one big push to get himself back into the best in the world.

"That's the big goal for me this season, to get back into the top 16," said Stevens. "I'm a fair bit behind at the moment, but all it takes is one good week.

"Look at Liang Wenbo - he got to the final in Shanghai and he jumped up from 27th to 13th. I just need one good run.

Qualifying

"I've won all of my qualifying matches so far this season, but in the last two tournaments I've played Ding Junhui and Ronnie O'Sullivan in the first round at the venue. That shows how tough it is when you are outside the top 16 and why it's important for me to get back there."

Stevens did not have to qualify at Prestatyn this time around, and will have the benefit of home crowd advantage as his qualifying match against Barry Pinches has been delayed so it can be played at the venue in Newport on Monday.

"It is an advantage to be starting off at the venue, hopefully in front of a good crowd supporting me," added Stevens. "I've never done well in the Welsh Open - I got to the quarter-finals once but otherwise I've done nothing.

"My practice has been going really well and I'm looking forward to next week so maybe this will be the one."

Williams form

Another Welshman hoping to do well is two-time world champion Mark Williams, who looked back to his best at last week's Masters.

Williams looked right back to his best when storming to the semi-finals at Wembley - and only losing in a 6-5 thriller against Ronnie O'Sullivan.

The 34-year-old hopes his Masters performance can spark him back into the sort of form that saw him lift the title twice at the Crucible.

"The pleasing thing was that I showed some consistency, rather than playing one good match then one bad one," said Williams.

"It's a shame there were no ranking points at the Masters, but next week at the Welsh Open there will be so I want to have another good run. It's a very strong field as usual and there should be good crowds."