The Fenland Potter is positive ahead of World Open in China

Snooker - English Open disappointment for Perry

Fenland Potter Joe Perry insists he’s still capable of challenging for the biggest snooker titles.

Perry, who hails from Chatteris, was frustrated to fall at the third round stage of the recent English Open, but is now looking forward to the World Open in China which starts next Monday.

World number 15 Perry takes on home player Peifan Lei in the opening round.

“I’ve been playing for so long now that it’s very rare I’m poor and I always give someone a game whether I’m on top form or not,” Perry (45) said.

“And with the tournaments coming thick and fast I know I’ve always got a good shout of doing well.

“I tried hard throughout the English Open and I was getting better round-by-round. If I had capitalised on my chances I would’ve felt strong going into the last 16.”

Perry beat young amateur Mark Lloyd 4-1 in his opener in Crawley before seeing off Liam Highfield 4-2 in round two.

But he ultimately came unstuck at the hands of World Championship semi-finalist Gary Wilson, who edged a close-fought encounter 4-3, which Perry had seemingly had in control at 3-2.

“I was good in parts but made a few silly errors and one in the last frame ultimately cost me,” Perry added.

“The match was really scrappy to start with and when I went 3-2 up I felt good. The match was mine for the taking.

“But you can’t miss the easy balls when you’re in and I had a chance, but missed an easy red in the last frame.

“I had a bit of bad luck, and on another day things would’ve worked out.

“It just wasn’t meant to be and I’ll move on to the next one. You can’t dwell on disappointments. Perry is a former World Championship semi-finalist.

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Joe Perry in action at last season’s World Championships