DARYL GURNEY is aiming to produce a Harry Houdini escape act to keep his Unibet Premier League hopes alive.
The World No.7 started his bid to climb out of the relegation zone with a solid 7-2 win over Chris Dobey in Milton Keynes on Tuesday night.
Now he faces Nathan Aspinall tonight (Wednesday) knowing that victory could put him above either Gerwyn Price or Rob Cross and within touching distance of safety.
He admitted: “I was lucky to get away with it tonight. Chris has been playing so well of late. But we both didn’t take our A or B game up there.
“I was lucky my doubles were on and his were off. That kept me in front. Just glad to get the points to put Rob Cross and Gerwyn Price under pressure.
“Now we can continue the survival hunt and Harry Houdini act!
“We all want to win. I don’t believe there’s another player who wants to win as much as me. Maybe that’s a burden sometimes because I try too hard.
“I work hard every day practising back home, doing everything possible that I can right. Sometimes the results don’t go my way.
“I put myself under a lot of pressure and I’ve got the win so I’ve given myself a chance now.
“Practice-wise I’m playing better than ever so I’m disappointed with how I played. It wasn’t the way I wanted to win – I wanted to play well and I’m not taking my practice game onto stage.
“I’m only a point now behind Rob and Gezzy and I’ve given myself a chance. If I can get a result against Nathan Aspinall then I can put the pressure on, and hopefully I can put a good performance in.”
Words: Phil Lanning
Images: Taylor Lanning