Joe Perry to embark on Dafabet Masters mission
Joe Perry. Photo: Tai Chengzhe/World Snooker - Credit: Archant
Chatteris cueman Joe Perry believes he can still challenge for world titles – and is targeting success at one of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments.
Perry begins his Dafabet Masters campaign on Monday (16), and the 42-year-old is hoping to reverse his poor recent form at the invitation-only tournament.
“I’ve been struggling for form for quite a while now,” Perry admitted.
“I just need to keep doing all the right things and hopefully it will change.
“If anything, I’ll just try to enjoy the occasion more, relax and not try too hard.”
‘The Gentleman’ began 2017 in sluggish style, crashing out of the 2017 Championship League earlier this week after a run of five consecutive defeats, but the world number 10 says he can conquer on the world stage this month – as long as he maintains focus.
“At the Masters I’ll just try to do what I always do, and that’s win a game of snooker,” he said.
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“If I play to my full potential I can definitely challenge in all competitions.”
And that challenge will begin next week when he heads to London’s Alexandra Palace for the Masters.
Perry has been knocked out in the first round in four of his last five appearances at the tournament, and he faces a tough task in the form of world number two, Stuart Bingham, on Monday (7pm).
Bingham denied Perry a place in the final of the World Grand Prix when they last met in March last year, but Perry insists revenge isn’t on his agenda.
“Revenge is never a motivation for me,” he said.
“We play each other a lot these days on various tours, so you win some and you lose some.
“It’s never personal with me – it’s just about winning a game of snooker.”
Live coverage of the Dafabet Masters can be found on BBC Two and the Red Button.
