Chatteris potter Joe Perry takes his place among snooker’s elite when he kicks off his Masters campaign on Monday.
World ranked 15 Perry takes on Scotland’s Stephen Maguire in the first round of the tournament, which hosts the world’s top 16 players.
If he gets past Maguire, he could face world number one Neil Robertson in the quarter finals, with five time World Champion Ronnie O’Sullivan potentially looming in the semi finals.
Perry is determined to break his Masters duck, having not won a match in any of his previous five appearances.
He said: “Stephen Maguire is someone I have really struggled against in the past. I don’t have a good record against him - my one notable scalp against him was the 2008 World Championship quarter final.
“There are no easy games in the Masters but I go into every game believing I can win.”
Perry is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career - he won the Yixing Open in June, beating Mark Selby in the final.
An impressive run of results has seen him become the first player in history to get back into the top 16 on four separate occasions.
He said: “I’m really proud to be back in the top 16. I know I’m not getting any younger so I’ve really dug in.
“I’ve lacked self belief in the past but this season I’ve become more calm and relaxed.
“I don’t get over-excited when I win and I don’t get too disappointed when I lose.
“The key now is to carry on my form so that the second half of my season is as good as the first half has been.
“If I can manage that, in terms of tournament finishes and prize money, this could turn out to be the best season of my career.”
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