Welsh Open 2006.

February 2006

Although the 28-year-old hails from Carmarthen, he still enjoys plenty of extra support from Welsh fans whenever he plays on home soil. But that did not help him last year when he was knocked out in the second round losing 5-2 to Mark King.

"There's extra pressure on me, but I've put in a lot of work and all you can do is practice and hope that is good enough, - Stevens added. - I've lost early in the Welsh Open the last couple of years, I don't think I've ever got past the semi-final, so it's time to do a bit better".

The Carmarthen cueman began the 2005-06 campaign with a bang, winning the inaugural and following up with victory in Pot Black. However, defeats against Dave Harold at the Grand Prix in Preston, Stuart Bingham in the Travis Perkins UK Championship and Nigel Bond in the recent Malta Cup have placed the Welshman's top 16 ranking in serious jeopardy.

"That's the way it is but hopefully now I can get back into gear and start off in Newport with a win, - Stevens said. - I've slipped down the rankings and I need to win a few matches now to stay in the top 16".

"If I'd played badly I'd be more worried, - says world No4 Stevens ahead of the Welsh Open in Newport, which starts next Monday. - My opponents have just played better than me. Dave Harold was awesome, Stuart Bingham has been in great form so far this season and Nigel Bond hardly did anything wrong in Malta. I've probably played six bad shots in those three games. All you can do is work hard in practice and hope you produce your form in matches", - concluded the 28-year-old.

"However, it's important to get some results together with the World Championship coming up. I keep getting to the business end at Sheffield, - he sighs. - Next time I get to the final it will be third time lucky. Everyone wants to be world champion and I'm no exception. Hopefully, I can get a few wins in Newport to get me going again. I always enjoy playing in Wales. It's a great chance for your friends and family to come and see you play. And I obviously get more support there than most other places".

Defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan is attempting to become the first player to win the tournament three times in succession in its 28-year history. But Stevens is not ready to let the Rocket claim a hat-trick.

"I hope not! Not if I can help it, - Stevens said. - Apart from John (Higgins) he's the man to beat... In my eyes he's the best in the world still and we all look to him because he's a fantastic player - his record speaks for that - but hopefully it'll be my week instead".

All eyes next week are on the Newport Centre. Ronnie O"Sullivan defends his title, John Higgins chases his third trophy of the season, Ken Doherty looks to build on his Malta Cup success while Judd Trump makes his first appearance in the final stages of a ranking tournament.

And Stevens? He just wants a win no matter how scrappy to begin his season again.

Based on the www.worldsnooker.com materials