Stevens hopes for return to form against Wattana

Matthew Stevens hopes a return to one of his favourite venues can kick start a season that promised so much last November.

The world number nine has not won a match since beating Stephen Hendry to become UK champion at York.

And when he trailed Thailand’s James Wattana in his opening match at the Embassy World Championship this afternoon, Stevens had that sinking feeling again.

However, the worried Welshman has a superb record at the Crucible Theatre despite waiting to claim the world title.

And from 4-1 down the 2000 runner-up and 2001 and 2002 semi-finalist hit back to claim the next four frames.

That gives the 26-year-old star a 5-4 advantage when the match resumes tomorrow night.

Wattana, once ranked three in the world but now down to 34th, made breaks of 94 and 109 to move 4-1 clear.

Stevens began his revival with 122 and scored consistently rather than heavily over the closing frames to gain his advantage over the 1993 and 1997 semi-finalist.