Martin Gould plans to use his Welsh Open experience as a platform for future success, writes Tim Edwards.

The 27-year-old, dubbed the 'Pinner Potter', came of age at the Newport Centre last week where he defeated seven times World Champion Stephen Hendry 5-3.

The world numer 63 turned on the style against Hendry in front of the TV cameras, helping himself to a 135 break while keeping the subdued Scot on the back foot.

His impressive victory set up a last 16 clash with Joe Swail, with the Ulsterman prevailing 5-1. However, the match was much closer than the scoreline suggested with eventual losing finalist Swail winning three frames on the black and one on the pink, sealing victory with a 68 clearance.

"He won a couple of frames on the black and it all went pear-shaped for me after the fourth frame," admitted Gould. "I felt it was not going to be my day after the first frame [2014] the balls just were not going for me."

The park-time poker club croupier travels to Sheffield this week where he will prepare for the World Championship qualifiers, and he feels his form at the Welsh Open proves he has the game to mix it with the best.

"I will come back stronger as I've shown I can compete, and beat these guys. I just want to get further up the rankings."

Gould, a two-times English Amateur champion, has been working closely with coach Dale Hill at North Harrow Snooker Centre and is confident of winning three qualifying heats at the Crucible, his first against an as yet unknown opponent on Monday.

"I'm looking forward to it. I prefer the longer format competitions, as if you are 2-0 down, you know there are 17 frames left to turn it around.

"My form has been good [2014] I've hardly put a foot wrong since Christmas."

His determination to reach the top heralds an amazing turnaround for Gould. He fell out of love with snooker several years ago, only for a friend to intervene.

He revealed: "Three or four years ago I gave the game up. I couldn't afford it and didn't enjoy it anymore.

"I took a year out, but then a mate entered me into a competition which I won and I then won another and ended up getting my pro cards back."