World Snooker Championship: No practise, no problem for Stevens ahead of Crucible return

Matthew Stevens heads into snooker’s biggest event saying he barely practices these days – and his table at home is of the coffee variety.

The 48-year-old Welshman overcame heavily favoured former champion Stuart Bingham 10-7 at World Snooker Championship qualifying to book his spot at the Crucible.

But Stevens admits to a “love-hate” relationship with the event as he carries the scars of defeats in the 2000 and 2005 finals, while he last reached the global showpiece in 2022.

“I’ve had so many good wins there,” Stevens said. “I’ve played in the one-table set-up six times I think, and I’ve got loads of scars from there, but I wouldn’t change anything. I’d probably change one or two results, but that can’t be helped.”

As he contemplated what lies ahead, Stevens has a preference for avoiding veterans such as Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Williams as well as newer stars such as China’s Zhao Xintong.

“I’d rather play the Class of ’62 [than one of the Class of ’92]. I don’t want to play Xintong on Saturday morning. I want to be in the tournament longer than that,” said Stevens in a downbeat assessment of his prospects.

But he will also go into the tournament believing he can still produce competitive performances.

“I can still play decent now and again,” he said. “I do play better in the World Championship – must be something that clicks I suppose. I haven’t really played much snooker for the last six months.”