ON HIS RIVALS

MARK SELBY, WORLD No1 CRUCIBLE BEST: CHAMPION (3)

Even if he hadn’t won in China, he would have been the favourite. But come the World Championships, it’s a completely different tournament. A player can go into Sheffield not having had a great season, but can still have a fantastic tournament.

JOHN HIGGINS, WORLD No5 CRUCIBLE BEST: CHAMPION (4)

Every guy on the circuit knows he’s the most complete player. And when he’s on it, he’s virtually unplayable. But age is not on his side. Neither is it on my side or Mark Williams’ side. But he’s got such a great game. If John finds it, every player at the World Championship is going to think: “I don’t want to play him”.

JUDD TRUMP, WORLD No4 CRUCIBLE BEST: RUNNER-UP

He’s too good a talent and a player to not win that title one day. At some point, he could do it now, he could do it next year but I’d love to see Judd win the World Championship because I know how hard he works at the game. As an entertainer and as a snooker fan, I love to watch him play. It really would be great to see him win.