Ryan Day puts dark days behind him with stunning British Open triumph

It was not long ago that Ryan Day was going through ‘dark moments’ and questioning his future in snooker but now he is back in the world’s top 16 after a superb British Open win on Sunday night.

The 42-year-old claimed the fourth ranking title of his career with a 10-7 win over Mark Allen in Milton Keynes, but significantly the biggest as he earned £100,000 with the victory over the Northern Irishman.

The win for the Welshman came somewhat out of the blue, with his only run to a semi-final or beyond in the last three seasons coming when he won the Shoot Out last year.

He admits that things had got really bad for him in the recent past, with last season’s UK Championship a specific low point, which saw him completely lose interest in the game.

Day lost 6-3 to Peter Lines in York and it ruined his confidence, but he credits working with coach Chris Henry to help him bounce back.

‘I lost in the UK last November and I just didn’t want to play anymore. Lost first round, played absolutely awful and just couldn’t face travelling,’ Day told ITV4 ahead of the British Open final. ‘I cut the practice right back to try to keep it fresh.

‘Started working with Chris, but started before I lost in November. That was another really dark moment in my career, but here I am in another big final and it can be a springboard for better things to come in the next few years.’

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After beating the Pistol, Day told WST: ”I have had some horrific defeats and played some awful matches in the last few years and I was