Crucible return has built belief
Ben Woollaston says his impressive return to The Crucible after a 12-year gap will give him a much-needed confidence boost in the 2025-26 season.The Leicester cueman's second appearance at the World Championship in Sheffield began with a brilliant victory over friend and practice partner Mark Selby.But a slow start in his second round match against China's Si Jiahui left him cost him dear as he bowed out 13-10. "It was great to get here and get that monkey off my back," said Woollaston, whose only other outing at snooker's showpiece event saw him lose 10-4 to two-time finalist Ali Carter in the first round in 2013."It will give me more belief. I will remember it forever and it will give me confidence because I battled well. But I need to be more fluent for next season. If I'm faster I play better."His subsequent loss to Si in the last 16 meant he missed the opportunity of facing seven-time Crucible champion Ronnie O'Sullivan in the quarter-finals."I see why people think the venue is special," 37-year-old Woollaston added. "It's the best place in the world when playing well - and the worst when you are not."In the first session [against Si] I felt like I didn't have my own arms. I got a bit bogged down in the first session and a half."I threw lots of frames away. At worst I should have been 10-6 up. I was 9-7 down and I didn't know how. It was my own fault."It's really disappointing knowing I could have been playing Ronnie. But beating Mark Selby, however he played, is always difficult."I did a lot of things well in that match and am very proud of that win. It was such a buzz seeing the crowd response and really emotional."
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