Snooker ace to face Rocket

Walsall snooker player Mark Joyce is gearing up for the biggest games of his career - against Ronnie 'The Rocket' O'Sullivan and Steve Davis.

The 24-year-old, who currently lies 73d in the two-year world rankings, faces former world champion and world ranked fifth player O'Sullivan in his first match of the Royal London Grand Prix on Saturday, October 13, in a tie screened by the BBC.

Joyce faces two matches that day - the other against Gerrard Green, ranked 32nd - before playing Davis (15th) and Dominic Dale (31st) on the Sunday and Tom Ford (50th) on Monday.

Joyce, who practices at Masters snooker club in Bridge Street, Walsall, is in his second season as a professional and he plans to enjoy his big day.

And he already boasts one high profile scalp in the event after beating Jimmy White 4-2 to qualify for the event.

"Playing Ronnie O'Sullivan is going to be tough, but it's a question of enjoying it," said Joyce.

"I've got through the qualifiers and it's going to be a good experience for me."

The top two players in each eight groups will go through to the last 16.

Consistent Joyce believes he has the temperament to last the pace against the high profile stars of the sport.

"My top break in a match is 144 but I'm quite steady - I don't run around the table," he said.

"Instead I get a lot of breaks of 50-60 and I'm quite consistent."

Joyce, who pocketed £7,175 in prize money last season, kept his place on the professional circuit when Robin Hull's withdrawal due to illness put him into round three and gave him enough points to keep his place on the circuit, despite defeat to Fergal O'Brien.

The cueman, who then beat Mohammed Shehab in his opening match in the 888.com world championship qualifiers, looks to have a bright future.

He enjoyed an outstanding amateur career, winning the European under-19 championship in 2001, the English Open in 2005 and the prestigious English Amateur Championship in 2006.

Joyce also finished fifth on the 2005-06 Pontin's International Open Series to book a place on the Tour.