‘There’s a bit of anxiety’ – The battle for survival at World Snooker Championship qualifying

Before the glamour of the Crucible comes the World Snooker Championship qualifiers, and players, not only fighting for a place at the sport’s most famous arena, but for their careers.

A number of players head to the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield this week knowing they must win games to keep their place on the professional tour, adding a generous dollop of pressure to the already hugely important tournament.

If they don’t get the wins they need to climb the rankings, it is the prospect of Q School over the summer to return to the tour, and while it is impossible to ignore that possibility, those in danger are doing all they can to focus on the job in hand.

World number 75 Steven Hallworth says there is a tinge of anxiety knowing his professional status is on the line in the coming days, but is feeling good in his game and as relaxed as he can be, given the situation.

‘I’m alright at the minute,’ Hallworth told Metro.co.uk before heading to Sheffield. ‘It is at the back of my mind that my tour card’s on the line this year.

‘There’s a little bit of anxiety about it, but I’ve just got to push that to the back of my mind. I got to the last round [of qualifying] last year and I feel that I’m a much better player this year, just the results haven’t gone my way.

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‘If I play well I can give anyone a game, I’m just trying to be patient, it’s just a matter of time till results come, but obviously there is a niggling thought in the back of my head about the tour card, but I’m trying