Negativity cost me says Mark Joyce

The Walsall potter was edged out in a gripping contest against Ryan Day at the Betway UK Championship, eventually going down 6-5 after a final-frame decider.

Joyce made a century break in an impressive performance but admits he was too cautious against his Welsh opponent.

“I felt good in the decider to be honest. I think the damage was done early on in the game. I played the decider to win but it wasn’t to be,” he said.

“I think shot selection and experience cost me the match.

“We play deciders week in, week out so I’m used to that. I felt as good in the decider as I did probably in the middle of the match.

“I went a bit negative in the middle and that cost me. At 3-2 up I should’ve pushed on.”

It’s now played six, lost six at the last eight stage for the world No.42 who admits he must take his chances if he’s to progress any further in his career.

He said: “To get to the next level I need to be a bit more aggressive. You could tell with Ryan with his shot selection.

“He played to win a bit more than I did. I played two or three shots that were quite negative, hoping he’d make a mistake so he deserves his victory.

“It’s obviously a disappointment. I will look back at the opportunity that was there. I got off to the bad start but I rallied.

“I had him where I wanted him and then I let him back in. So it’s probably three shots that have cost me across the match.”

This was Joyce’s best run at the tournament since his first appearance in 2010 and claims his thrilling victory over Neil Robertson was a highlight.

He said: “The run itself was great. The game against Robertson was a good match to be involved in.

“I will lick my wounds and learn from it I suppose. To get to the next level I need to work on the shot selection.”