Reanne Evans heads to World Championship qualifying this week feeling like she hasn’t showed anything like her best on tour so far, but has a plan to turn that round.
The 12-time women’s world champion has been playing on the World Snooker Tour since 2021 and while she is grateful for the chance to do so, it has proved a struggle to find form and therefore enjoyment.
There was a clear highlight last month when she won the World Mixed Doubles alongside Luca Brecel and she hopes to take a leaf out of the world champion’s book going forward, with a more carefree attitude.
Results have been hard to come by on the main tour and it is tough to keep your chin up, but having played with the Bullet, she feels that at least trying to play with a smile will help.
‘I don’t think I’ve played well at all to be honest, nothing that I can even compare to my best when I do play well,’ Evans told Metro.co.uk. ‘It’s really disheartening, but I have been close to winning games even playing like this. So I know that if I play a little bit better I can push them a little bit more and I might get the win.
‘On the main tour it’s so tough. You’re not going to get many chances, then you put so much pressure on yourself when you do get them.
‘You want to enjoy it, but it’s hard to enjoy it when you’re not playing well and not getting wins. I’ve got to change the mindset a little bit and go with the flow. You’ve got to try and enjoy the good shots, the bad shots, the mistakes.
‘Playing with Luca helped that because he’s so laidback, he was like, “ah, forget it.” I’m going to try and use that mentality, I’m not sure how long it’ll last, but I’ll try.’
The new attitude may well help and the victory with Brecel in Manchester will bring some confidence with it as she gets ready for World Championship qualifying.
‘Yeah of course,’ Evans said of a pep in her step after the Mixed Doubles success. ‘I have been in a better place for the last few months. Playing a little bit better, playing with a bit more confidence.
‘I played well in China for the [Women’s] World Championships, but swings and roundabouts cost me the semi-finals. Bai Yulu is a great talent and it’s good to see her coming through, even when you’re on the receiving end.
‘I think everything at the minute seems to be going in the right direction, hopefully it stays like that. I’m looking forward to the qualifiers, just keep plodding along, do what I can do and you never know.’
Evans takes on Oliver Brown in the opening round of World Championship qualifying on Tuesday and that would be the perfect place to find some form.
‘It’s always going to be a tough task to win one, never mind three or four matches,’ she said. ‘I’m not even thinking about that, one shot at a time and you never know.’
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