Ebdon ready to defend Irish title

Peter Ebdon believes his impressive performances in the recent Rileys Club Masters prove he is running into form just as the snooker season nears its climax.

The 2002 world champion returns to Dublin at the weekend to defend his Irish Masters crown on the back of a strong showing at Wembley last month, when he reached the semi-final stage.

With the season-ending World Championship at the Crucible rapidly approaching, the 34-year-old from Wellingborough insists he is reaching his peak.

“I played really well in The Masters and it’ll be nice to get myself in the kind of form I showed last year again,” said Ebdon, who defeated Mark King to triumph in Ireland 12 months ago.

“I’m really looking forward to Dublin and it would be lovely to come back home with the trophy again.

“It’s a nice time of year to be coming into form.”

Ebdon is taking nothing for granted as he prepares to face Dave Harold in the first round in Ireland.

“It’s lovely going into an event as defending champion, but the standard is so high it’s impossible to look beyond the first round,” he added.

“I’ve played Dave a few times and I think my record’s pretty good, but you have to take it one match at a time.”

Ebdon is maintaining his ruthless fitness regime as the business end of the season approaches. He felt his hours in the swimming pool and the gym played a major role in him winning the world title in 2002.

“I’m still swimming a mile a day and coming on physically,” he said. “It’s all geared for Sheffield and hopefully I’ll get it spot on.”

Ebdon insists he has not given up hope of returning to the top four in the world rankings.

Currently the world number eight, he has twice been as high as third in the world in the past.

“It’s very, very difficult being in the top eight and I’m very proud to be there, but I’d be delighted if I could return to the top four,” he added.

“That’s the goal.”