As the line-up for the last 32 of the UK Championship has now been finalised, click below to read what some of the players have had to say on their qualifying matches, and on their openers in Telford next week…
Adrian Gunnell on defeat to Steve Davis told the Shropshire Star:
“After the match was as low as I had felt for a long time because it was a game I shouldn’t have lost,”
“It’s all to do with concentration and I’ve got to sort it out because it’s not good enough.
‘Couldn’t wait’
“When I wake up feeling flat there is just no concentration there at all – and that’s what happened for a lot of yesterday.
“I played really solid snooker to win the four frames at the start of the night session and that’s because I couldn’t wait to get to the table and the adrenaline was pumping. That’s when I am at my best.
“But then we had a 10-minute interval and it changed everything. I felt flat and I was just giving him frames without him having to do anything. I don’t know why I go like that but it’s something I need to get to the bottom of because it leaves me playing at about 30 per cent.
“At 3-2 down I was using playing at Telford as the motivation to get me going,”
“It’s a real choker and next week will be torture for me.”
Ken Doherty on making the last 32 of a ranking event for the first time since the Northern Ireland Trophy (SkySports):
“It’s just nice to be back at a tournament and hopefully this win is the start of a good run for me,”
“When you keep losing it does affect your confidence. I’d be lying if I said otherwise.
“I can’t wait to play in the UK, it’s a great tournament and I really want to do well there.”
Mark Selby on a tie with Mark Williams (SkySports):
“Obviously he’s a great player, a two-time former world champion so its going to be a tough game,”
“But I get on quite well with Mark, we’re quite good friends, so I’m going to enjoy it and hopefully I can come through it.”
“I think if you’d go and ask all the players, I think they’d all say they prefer the longer format.
“You can get away with having a bad session and still come through the match and win.
“So it gives you more time to get into the game, whereas obviously with a best to nine it’s such a short race, you’ve got to be on your guard from the word go.”
Jamie Cope talks to The Sentinelafter his disappointing defeat to Jamie Burnett:
“I’m just disappointed because I felt I should have won the match,”
“I didn’t play anywhere near my best, but Jamie didn’t play great either.
“I had my chances, so it’s disappointing to get beat. At 4-4 I felt comfortable, but after the break I struggled to get going. I could never get in front.”
“It would have been great to play Stephen Maguire, but it wasn’t meant to be,”
“It’s just a shame I couldn’t get over the final hurdle.
“I’ve not had a great season, nor have I had a bad season. I just need to get ready for the next tournament and see what I can do.”
Judd Trump told ThisIsBristol:
I played really well, I felt good today,”
“I knew it was going to be a tough match, but I’m playing with a lot of confidence right now, I’ve been having a good season.
“Last season I wasn’t winning my qualifying matches, but this season I have started winning them. It’s been a big learning curve for me.”
“I started a bit slowly, but then I got into my groove. I had some nice breaks,”
“It’s a great feeling to have qualified for UK (Championship), it’s the second biggest tournament in the season behind the World Championship.
“I know it will be tough against Mark King, but I know I can beat him. I’m enjoying playing at the venues, I feel as though it’s getting better and better.”