4.3.09

COUCH SITTING PRETTY

There’s an old saying that revenge is a dish best served cold.

Matthew Couch may appreciate the sentiment as he prepares to face Joe Swail in the final qualifying round of the World Championship next Tuesday.

Couch defeated 1991 champion John Parrott 10-3 in the qualifiers at Sheffield today.

He is through to the final round for only the second time in his career. The last time was 11 years ago and he played...Joe Swail.

On that occasion Swail won 10-3.

“I obviously hope it’s a different result this time. It would mean a lot to play at the Crucible. It’s the venue where everyone wants to have played, at least once,” Couch said.

It would indeed mean a lot to any player but especially one like Couch who turned pro 17 years ago and has kept on grafting despite several disappointments.

He was a quarter-finalist in the 1998 UK Championship and has a good record in pro-ams but reaching the Crucible would be the highlight of his career.

And he’s tantalisingly close.

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