Mark Joyce learning lessons of loss

The Walsall snooker star succumbed to a 4-2 second-round loss at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena, giving the 2010 world champion a scare at 2-2 before the Australian powered home to continue his stunning recent form.

And after playing a man who has just reached three ranking event finals in the space of two weeks, the world No.69 says there is much to admire about the Thunder from Down Under’s game.

“His long potting really stands out, and he’s going to create so many chances for himself because he’s such a good long potter,” he said. “I’d actually beaten him the last two times I played him, so I think he was really trying.

“From a personal point of view, I just need to learn to not miss these easy balls when there’s a distraction there.

“You’ve just got to give every shot 110 per cent at this level, because you can’t afford to be missing the balls really.”

Joyce will head to the Snooker Shoot Out in Watford next week with the season now reaching its climax, as the China and Indian Opens were both postponed.

And with the countdown to the World Championships now intensifying, he knows just how stern a test he will face to reach the Crucible.

“It’s disappointing the way the season’s panned out with India and China being postponed, so the end of the season isn’t great to be fair,” he added.

“I’m going to put everything into the Worlds though - the qualifiers are such a tough environment and there’s a lot of pressure there, so I’m just going to try and get into the tournament.

“If you can win your first match, you kind of feel involved in it, so I’m going to really work hard for it.”

n Watch the Welsh Open live on Eurosport and Eurosport Player with analysis from Jimmy White and Neal Foulds