Crucible return has built belief - Woollaston

Ben Woollaston said his win over Leicestershire potter Mark Selby in the World Championship first round was the best of his career

Ben Woollaston says his impressive return to The Crucible after a 12-year gap will give him a much-needed confidence boost in the 2025-26 season.

The Leicester cueman's second appearance at the World Championship in Sheffield began with a brilliant victory over friend and practice partner Mark Selby.

But a slow start in his second round match against China's Si Jiahui left him cost him dear as he bowed out 13-10.

"It was great to get here and get that monkey off my back," said Woollaston, whose only other outing at snooker's showpiece event saw him lose 10-4 to two-time finalist Ali Carter in the first round in 2013.

"It will give me more belief. I will remember it forever and it will give me confidence because I battled well. But I need to be more fluent for next season. If I'm faster I play better."

His subsequent loss to Si in the last 16 meant he missed the opportunity of facing seven-time Crucible champion Ronnie O'Sullivan in the quarter-finals.

"I see why people think the venue is special," 37-year-old Woollaston added. "It's the best place in the world when playing well - and the worst when you are not.

"In the first session [against Si] I felt like I didn't have my own arms. I got a bit bogged down in the first session and a half.

"I threw lots of frames away. At worst I should have been 10-6 up. I was 9-7 down and I didn't know how. It was my own fault.

"It's really disappointing knowing I could have been playing Ronnie. But beating Mark Selby, however he played, is always difficult.

"I did a lot of things well in that match and am very proud of that win. It was such a buzz seeing the crowd response and really emotional."