Ebdon left numb but returns to Crucible

Peter Ebdon wrestled with mixed emotions after he secured a 24th appearance at the Crucible.

The 2002 world champion was thankful to be back at snooker’s most famous venue but left “numb” by his performance in sneaking a 10-9 win over Michael Holt in the final qualifying round.

Ebdon, 46, was close to tears as he weighed up his latest successful bid to reach the Betfred World Championship, which begins in Sheffield on Saturday. The 40th anniversary of the Crucible first staging the tournament makes it especially poignant for Ebdon, who said: “It means everything.

“It’s always great to be introduced as a former world champion, it’s really, really special.”

After looking like he would squander a 6-3 overnight lead, Ebdon held his nerve at the climax of the decider which went all the way down to the black.

He sank a long pot to the yellow pocket, and then said: “I felt I let myself down. I just didn’t handle it which is disappointing and Michael deserved to win. I genuinely feel gutted for him. I’m delighted but I must admit I feel a bit numb.”

Despite not winning a match at the World Championship since 2008, Ebdon will head up the hill to the Crucible from the qualifying venue at Ponds Forge full of hope.

“The one positive coming out of this week was that I’ve felt more like the old me: I was really determined and very focused,” Ebdon said.

Scotland’s 2006 world champion Graeme Dott fought from 4-0 adrift to come through 10-8 against Welshman Jamie Jones.

Dott is due to take part in a parade of past winners at Friday’s pre-tournament anniversary celebrations, and the 39-year-old said: “If I had lost I don’t know if I could bear it, being there when you’re not in the tournament. It would have been so brutal.”

Dott’s compatriot Stephen Maguire, a twotime former semi-finalist, eased through 10-5 at the expense of Li Hang.