Mark Joyce Aims To Join The Elite At The World Grand Prix

Mark Joyce Aims To Join The Elite At The World Grand Prix
10:52, 15 Feb 2018

Anyone can talk the talk when it comes to reaching the very top of your sport.

But if you’ve done your homework in the same diligent manner as Mark Joyce, it gives you a greater appreciation of not just where you want to be but how you’re going to get there.

A debut appearance at next week’s World Grand Prix is the Walsall potter’s reward for a season where he has hit the most consistent form of his career.

Joyce has reached the quarter-finals of the Riga Masters, Paul Hunter Classic and most recently at the UK Championship this season and as a result has climbed to number 23 in the one-year ranking list to qualify to play in Preston.

“It’s the first time I’ve played in it and I’m looking forward to it with it being on ITV,” Joyce told The Sportsman. “I missed out two years ago as I finished 33 in the one-year list after the cut off so I’m pleased to have qualified quite comfortably this time; it shows progression.”

Joyce is becoming a more familiar face towards the latter stages of events these days and while he should be applauded for his consistency in an age where the strength in depth goes deep, he is not satisfied yet and is already setting his sights on bigger things.

He said: “Consistency is pleasing but I just feel like I need one big hit to go one step further.

Not the first time, he explained: “That’s what separates the top 10 and the rest. The best players hit finals and win tournaments every so often and that’s what I want to start doing.”

Making the next step

His impressive run to the last eight in York looked like it could be his big breakthrough and his failure to beat Ryan Day is something he is keen to learn from.

“I felt like I’d got Ryan where I wanted by leading 3-2 and 4-3. I was in the ascendancy and maybe with a little bit more experience I would have won the match,” he said. “Looking back, I could have been more positive.

“I’ve taken some good scalps in the last 12 months. I beat Ronnie in Beijing before losing to Ding.

“I think when you get so far and then don’t go all the way, it’s natural to question yourself a little and look around you at what the top players are doing differently so you know what you need to do.

“I think the key for me is playing in big matches how I did to get there, continuing to be positive and just improving my shot selection slightly.”

When Joyce kicks off his Grand Prix campaign against Masters runner-up Kyren Wilson next week he is quick to admit is not an ideal draw.

“It’s a horrible match for both of us. We have the same coach, I probably practice with him more than anyone else on tour,” explained Joyce.

“We travel together and are good friends so it’s not the draw we wanted but with so many tournaments it was obviously going to happen sooner rather than later.”

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