Crucial 10 days of qualifying for trio of big World Snooker Tour ranking events

‘If you can have a good three wins then it sets you up for a great start to the season and you’ll feel brilliant. Even if you haven’t played that well, wins do that to you.’

World number 72 Louis Heathcote is looking to build on an impressive ending to last season when he narrowly missed out on a Crucible debut after a strong run in World Championship qualifying.

He’s been working hard to get off to a fast start and get stuck into the Chinese events, which are some of the most rewarding financially on the calendar.

‘It’s so important to try and get off to a good start ot the season and not chasing wins,’ said Heathcote. ‘It’s nice to qualify early doors so you’ve got stuff to look forward to.

‘Especially with the first two being China events, someone at my ranking if you qualify for them you’re in a good spot. You need to win two matches at the Home Nations for the same money as one in the China events.

‘I’ve been practicing hard, I’m much better on the table when I’m in a routine and I’ve got back into that, so I’m ready to go.’

Heathcote has David Lilley first up on Friday, then Thepchaiya Un-Nooh on Tuesday but will have to wait till the main arena of the British Open to face Ryan Day. Another testing trio to come.

‘There’s no easy draws,’ he said. ‘Obviously you’d rather play someone around the 50-60 mark than you would top 16, but even then they’re still tough matches.

‘I’ve got three really different opponents with Dave, Theppy and Ryan. I just take them for what they are and try and play my own game.’

Holt and Heathcote don’t have it easy, but Liam Davies may well have the hardest three matches of any player in these games to come, taking on Ricky Walden, Kyren Wilson and Barry Hawkins.

‘I’ve always been one that hears people say, “oh, I want to play the best players.” No. I don’t,’ said the Hitman.

‘I don’t mind playing them in a final with all your family there, happy days, but you don’t want them in the first round.

‘Although, to be fair, I’m just buzzing to be back on tour, I don’t really care who I play, I’ve beat them all before, I can do it again.’

A handful of the Xi’an Grand Prix qualifiers are held over to the main stages from 19 August, but there are some of the biggest names in the sport in Leicester this week looking to join them in China.

Judd Trump, John Higgins, Mark Williams, Neil Robertson and Luca Brecel are among those stars in action in Leicester, with the qualifiers available to watch on World Snooker Tour’s Facebook.

Trophies won’t be lifted, legends won’t be made, but there is a very important few days of snooker to come.