Walden Back to Winning Ways
Ricky Walden won three matches on day one of the second Star Xing Pai Players Tour Championship event at the World Snooker Academy in Sheffield to reach Sunday's last 16..
Since winning the Shanghai Masters in 2008, Chester-based Walden has failed to get past the quarter final stage of a ranking event.
The 2008/09 season saw him move up to a provisional world ranking of 10, but after a succession of poor results last season, he now finds himself starting this season at number 20.
He suffered cue problems at the opening PTC event last month and lost 4-0 to close friend, Dave Harold but stormed back with three impressive wins on day one to reach Sunday’s last 16.
He told Global-snooker.com, that he was trying a more relaxed approach to the game. He said, "I am just trying to loosen up a bit. After winning in China, I think I got a bit carried away and expected too much of myself. I am really enjoying playign again and with more tournaments this season, there are plenty of opportunities for us again".
"I have worked hard with my manager, Lee Gorton since I lost to Anda (Zhang) in the world championship in March and I am beginning to feel like I did a couple of years ago, and am really looking forward to the rest of the season".
In the opener, he dismissed Shokat Ali before facing possibly the coming through the toughest section of the draw by beating Mark King and Matthew Stevens and set up a meeting with Northern Ireland’s Gerard Greene.
Against King, he was always in control and claimed a relatively comfortable win by four-frames-to-two.
Stevens had overcome Robert Valiant (4-0) and won the last three frames to get past Leeds’ David Grace.
Walden made the stronger start, taking the first two frames before the Welshman hit back with a break of 104. That seemed to be the catalyst for Walden who followed up with breaks of 105 and 93 of his own to seal victory.
