World number 86 Liam Graham heads to Berlin for the Machineseeker German Masters next week, where he will take centre stage at the iconic Tempodrom against the newly crowned Johnstone's Paint Masters Champion Shaun Murphy
Graham enjoyed a landmark run to a maiden ranking final at the 9Club Shoot Out final before Christmas, but lost a nerve jangling encounter with Tom Ford. That showing has given him a fighting chance of tour survival, as the end of his second season as a professional approaches. Graham is currently projected to narrowly stay on the circuit thanks to his performance on the one-year list.
We've caught up with Scotland's Graham to preview next week and look ahead to the remainder of the season.
Liam, it will be your first ever appearance at the Tempodrom next week. How much are you looking forward to stepping out at that venue?
“I’m looking forward to playing in Berlin. I’ve heard it is one of the best venues on the tour, so I’m looking forward to that the most. Last year I was devastated not to qualify. It was a bucket list event when I turned professional. I’m delighted to have got through this time."
Your opponent, Shaun Murphy, won the Masters last week. As a young player, did you take inspiration watching an event like that and what are your thoughts ahead of facing a player in the form of Murphy?
“Everyone wants to play at the Masters. It would be good to play in something like that one day. If you keep working hard then hopefully opportunities like that will come your way in the future.
“I definitely like playing on the bigger stages, so next week will be exciting. I don’t have interest in qualifying rounds with no atmosphere. I like the atmosphere and the buzz around playing in big matches. As much as I can get on the TV table the better, because I think I peform better in that environment as well."
You are spending this week practising in Antrim this week. What's it been like playing regularly with someone like Mark Allen?
“You can’t buy this. I’ve managed to create a good friendship with the boys up here. At the moment it is me, Aaron Hill, Robbie McGuigan, Jordan Brown and Mark Allen. We are all just practising like mad every day. Lots of best of nines. I’m losing a bit of money at the moment, but it is all good for the future! You notice when you go to tournaments how beneficial this is. I’m sharing an Airbnb with Aaron Hill this week. It has been good fun."
What was the experience of getting to the Shoot Out final like?
“Things have changed a wee bit since before the Shoot Out. I feel a lot better in myself and during games. It was a big occasion for me, getting to the final of a ranking event. There’s not many people in a career that do that. No matter what, I’ll always have that. Hopefully I can use it to push on now and keep winning games to retain my tour place.
“Obviously it was disappointing, but I probably should have been out four or five times that day. It’s just the way it goes. I don’t think Tom got enough credit for the break he made under that pressure. It was a tense old affair in that final. He played one of the best shots of the season during that break. I'm glad he won a ranking title.
“You can’t do anything when you are standing there. You are looking for things which might go wrong and if you do get a chance you have to make the most of it. This is the one event where mad things can happen. I had a clearance against Ali Carter which I’d never have gone for in a normal format event. Mad things happen in the Shoot Out."
How are you feeling with the tour survival battle hanging over the rest of the season?
“You could say it's pressure, but I’m not that worried. I was dead and buried at one stage. I had the big run at the Shoot Out and now anything that happens is a bonus. If I stay on that would be amazing, but it is out of my control a wee bit. I hope I can keep winning games and cement my place. Maybe at the World Championship I might feel it a bit more.”