China star Walden is aiming for big break at the Barbican

Ricky Walden hopes to replicate his Far East success in North Yorkshire when he cues off in the UK Championship.
Ricky Walden.Ricky Walden.
Ricky Walden.

The 31-year-old potter has won all three of his ranking titles in China, despite several near misses on home soil.

He won the Shanghai Masters in 2008 – beating Ronnie O’Sullivan in the final 10-8 – the 2012 Wuxi Classic, and then pickied up the £125,000 top prize in last Sunday’s International Championship in China.

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The Chester cueman edged out Irishman Mark Allen 10-7 to complete his hat-trick of China titles, and the biggest win of his career to date, but now wants finally to hoist a trophy in his homeland.

He has his sights on a return to the York Barbican this month, looking to go one better than 12 months ago where he crashed out in the semi-finals.

Despite beating the likes of Mark Williams, Allen and Ding Junhui to reach the last four – he was also a semi-finalist in 2011 – Walden was denied a place in the final by Mark Selby.

The world No 11 has also been a semi-finalist at the World Championship, and while he is yet to reach the final of one of the ‘Triple Crown’ events, Walden believes his time will come.

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“It was a great run for me in York last year, especially beating a lot of good players,” said Walden.

“In the end, I just fell short of the final so this time I would love to go one further.

“If you are getting to semi-finals of tournaments regularly then you will win your share.

“I have got to the last four a few times now in big BBC events and I need to get past that hurdle.

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“But at least I’m putting myself in the mix. A lot of very good players never get that far.”

Walden has built up his confidence in playing in China, after winning three major prizes, but accepts he now has to reproduce that winning mentality in the UK.

“I’ve won three ranking titles in China and when I play there I’ve got the belief that I can go all the way,” he admitted.

“I’ve just got to bring that to the events in the UK.

“I’m really looking forward to York because it’s a great city, especially in the build up to Christmas.

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“The venue is brilliant, the tables play well and we get good crowds. It’s definitely one of my favourite locations on the circuit.”

The UK Championship runs from November 25 to December 7, with all 128 players starting in the first round.

Tickets start at just £8 (concessions £4).

All players will be in action during the first three days (November 25-27) before television coverage starts.

For ticket details call 0844 854 2757 or visit www.worldsnooker.com/tickets