"Michael didn't play well at all, I had a great opportunity to pinch the match" - Beaton laments disappointing World Matchplay showing

Steve Beaton got to compete at this year's World Matchplay for the first time since 2020. But that turned out to be a disappointment thanks to a first-round exit.

Beaton went down 10-2 in the opening round against Michael Smith. "In practice I felt great. Half an hour beforehand I didn't have a problem but it just never happened for me up there," said the legendary, 59-year-old Englishman in conversation with Winmau.

"Maybe it's because we were late going on. It's a long day waiting to play but like I said I felt good, it just didn't happen for me once I got up there," analyses the former world champion.

Missed opportunity

Beaton only achieved an average of 81.54, but Smith himself did not get above 90 either. "It's so annoying you know. You work hard to get there and then the one game you want to play well you can't. Michael didn't play well at all, I had a great opportunity to pinch the match," concluded 'The Bronzed Adonis'