SNOOKER: Joe Perry eases through first round of Betfred World Snooker Championship qualifying

Joe Perry is on course to take his place at the Betfred World Snooker Championships after cruising through the opening round of qualifying last night.

He eased to a 10-3 success over Englishman Zack Richardson in the first round at Ponds Fordge, Sheffield.

The 42-year-old opened up a 6-3 advantage after the first session on Wednesday, and rattled off four straight frames yesterday to seal his spot in the second round.

There he will face Thai opponent Akani Songsermsawad. Perry must win three best of 19-frame matches in order to qualify for snooker’s biggest tournament at the Crucible, which kicks off on April 15

“Today I thought I was just going to come out and attack and they went in,” Perry told World Snooker.

“Ding Junhui and Alan McManus both qualified last year and it didn’t harm them. I think confidence is a big part of snooker, far more than fatigue. If you can come through this then it can only be a good thing.

“You drive past the Crucible and you want to be there. You don’t want your season to end before the World Championship, so that is the motivation for me.”