Jamie Clarke is relishing a battle against his snooker hero - but has no qualms in meeting Ronnie O'Sullivan.
Welshman Clarke thrives in the pressure cauldron of the qualifying stages for snooker's most prestigious events. And he has now made it to the revamped UK Championship in York, fuelled by the self-belief that has arisen from two recent Crucible visits.
Fellow qualifier Tom Ford created headlines by claiming pros were 'deluded' for wanting world no.1 O'Sullivan in the last-32 draw. But while Clarke's enticing all-Welsh draw against his childhood idol Mark Williams is hardly straightforward - he did not share Ford's fears over a clash with the Rocket.
"Ronnie is the best player in the world so I wouldn't be likely to beat him but you've just got to back yourself I think," Clarke told Mirror Sport. "Everyone's entitled to their opinion, Tom's a top 32 player and everyone says he likes a moan! People don't want to draw Ronnie because he's that good. If you're playing him first game he's likely to win but I personally wouldn't mind playing him."
While Clarke has only faced O'Sullivan once in his career, he has also largely avoided Williams during his time on tour. But he now gets the chance to play the three-time world champion on arguably snooker's second biggest stage at the Barbican.
“He’s a hero," Clarke said. "Him, Ronnie, Higgins, Matthew Stevens, that’s how people start playing by aspiring to be like them and Mark’s no different. It's a bit different now because I want to win and he wants to win but he's been a definite hero."
An exhausted Clarke was distracted rushing around Sheffield's shops desperate for clean clothes after a short-turn around in his last Triple Crown tilt. He was thrashed 10-2 by Chinese star Zhao Xintong in his first round match at the World Championship in April, but is now fully energised and focused on Monday's clash.
"I've recharged and have had two days off," he said. "If I didn’t fancy winning I wouldn’t go! Mark is favourite and people think he will probably win but I’ve won on the big stage before and I know I can win. I’m quietly confident really. He's going in a bit cold and there's pressure on every game you play. You've got to leap up the rankings somehow and this is a good week to do it."
Gutsy Clarke wears his heart on his sleeve and dramatically dropped to his knees, overcome with emotion after keeping his tour card at this year’s world qualifiers. And the 28-year-old has vowed not to mitigate his celebrations again should he seal a thrilling win over one of his childhood heroes.
“If I’m 5-0 down and win 6-5 yeah!” Clarke beamed when asked if we could see another passionate celebration on Monday evening. “You’re working your whole life and I’ve been playing since I was six years old. You’re striving and striving and it’s everything.
“I can’t help it if I show emotion. I don’t mind giving it a fist if I win. Snooker can look quite boring to some people and the intensity in the matches is something else - unless you’re Mark Williams who doesn’t mind. I think snooker needs more of it.”
