New Day in Newport
Ryan Day is in a new year, with a new cue and new self-belief and eagerly awaiting the Wyldevrest Parks Welsh Open in Newport this week..
And even the prospect of facing two of the game's most iconic figures does not phase the 30-year-old who, six months ago, could not pot a ball for toffee.
Day slumped from 12th in the world last May to 25th in December after four years in the top 16.
But, after coming from 4-2 down in his final UK Championships qualifier against Scotland's Jamie Burnett to win 9-5, going on to beat Romford's 16th-ranked Mark King in the first round proper at Telford, Day feels he is back on track.
He will play Jimmy White before a packed house in a Welsh Open qualifier where the carrot for the winner is taking on multi-world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan in the opening round of the tournament proper.
Day does not fear either. He said: "Jimmy came in a couple of rounds earlier than me but I've played him before at the Welsh in Newport. He had good support and so did I with all my mates coming down to see it.
"As long as you are happy with your game and everything is ok, it settles you down to look forward to a match like that.
"Then, whoever wins, plays Ronnie. They are two of the crowds favourites so it will be packed out.
"Where I have been in the last 12 months is not a place I like. I played Ronnie in the PTC (Players Tour Championships Series) in August when I was at rock bottom so I didn't take anything out of that.
"I have been playing poorly but, in the last three months, it has been better in practice.
"And the longer I am playing well in practice, it is only a matter of time before it goes onto the match table.
"I've got a new cue now which was made by Trevor White in Bridgend which I'm happy with."
So, with ranking points in the Welsh Open up for grabs, Day believes he can get enough wins to rack up the points and come close to regaining his top 16 place just in time for the third and final review of the ranking list this season.
Wales will have four players on the baize next week after Dominic Dale joined Mark Williams, seeded into the first round where he plays Wembley Masters runner-up Marco Fu, won through with victory over Mark Davis.
Carmarthen's Matthew Stevens is also in final qualifier action where he takes on Nottingham's former top 16 ace Anthony Hamilton. The winner takes on 2005 world champion Shaun Murphy in the first round proper.
