Ben Mertens is enjoying for his skilled standing at World Championship qualifying, however the teenager is pondering optimistic, saying: ‘I’m assured, I’m enjoying properly, so nothing to fret about.’
The 19-year-old received his place on the World Snooker Tour in 2022 and has had some good outcomes, however goes to Sheffield needing to win matches to retain his tour card as he’s outdoors of the world’s high 64 and off the tempo on the one-year rating checklist.
The Belgian clearly has the expertise to do it, with wins over the likes of Shaun Murphy and Gary Wilson this season and he shall be harmful in qualifying, the place he performs Rod Lawler in his first match on Friday.
‘I do know what scenario I’m in, I’ve to win just a few video games to remain on tour,’ Mertens advised Metro. ‘So it’s nerves but additionally thrilling as a result of it’s the World Championship and an opportunity to qualify for the Crucible.
‘In fact I’ve to consider the great issues and never what might go mistaken.
‘Qualifying for the Crucible, that’s the one factor to consider, not all the remainder. I did properly final 12 months in qualifying, I’m assured, I’m enjoying properly, so nothing to fret about.’
The teenager from Wetteren feels powerful attracts, sturdy performances from his opponents and advantageous margins have all price him, however he isn’t down about any of it, anticipating issues to show spherical.
‘Numerous matches I’ve performed have been actually shut, might have gone each methods and gamers have performed very well in opposition to me the previous few tournaments,’ he mentioned. ‘I can’t actually complain an excessive amount of about myself as a result of I’m enjoying properly.
‘It’s what it’s. It’s good to have powerful attracts. I’ll be a stronger participant due to it sooner or later. I don’t fear an excessive amount of.
‘I do know if I’m enjoying properly I can beat anybody, so I simply have to belief in myself, that’s the one factor that issues.’
Mertens would love to remain on the tour in model by qualifying for the Crucible for the primary time, then he can be dreaming of replicating his compatriot Luca Brecel’s achievement of final 12 months.
{The teenager} has by no means been to the legendary venue earlier than, refusing to go in to observe earlier than enjoying there.
‘The Crucible, that’s the place to be in snooker, that’s my dream to play there one day. I saw what Luca did there, that gives me inspiration,’ he said.
‘We’ve talked a few times in the past. He’s a very nice guy and I want to try and do the same as him in the future, to be at the Crucible and play well there, that’s what I want.
‘I won’t go there before I do that, if I go to the Crucible it will be to play, not watch.’
On the impact of Brecel’s sensational World Championship win back in Belgium, Mertens said: ‘It’s more popular now, clubs are fully booked now, there’s more attention, which is only good news. I would love to see a tournament here.’
The teenager has had a difficult situation to deal with over his young career so far, developing a tremor in his head, which he has learned to control but not entirely.
‘It’s still there,’ he said. ‘I had some tests and they said everything is normal. In the past it was a mental issue, now it’s getting better, I’m not thinking about it mentally anymore.
‘It isn’t affecting my game, but it was affecting my mental side of the game. I was always thinking about it, that people would see it, but I’m not worrying about it anymore. It is what it is.
‘It was a surprise, I never had it before, so it was something I had to get used to, getting a tremor out of nowhere. But it’s getting better now. If I get nervous you will see it more, but if I’m calm it’s okay. I just have to try and stay calm during games, try not to get too much pressure and then it doesn’t affect me.’
Mertens takes on Lawler over Friday and Saturday in his first round of World Championship qualifying.
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