Ebdon - opens against Greene (Getty Images).
EBDON LOOKS TO TURN BACK THE CLOCK
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Peter Ebdon may turn back the clock 12 months just before he launches the
defence of his Embassy World Championship title in Sheffield on Saturday
morning.
History is against Ebdon retaining the trophy he won so dramatically last May
after an 18-17 nail-biter against seven-time champion Stephen Hendry.
And there has been nothing in his form this season to suggest he will be the
only first-time champion of the modern era to defend the title.
That is why the world number three from Wellingborough may pop in a video of
that life-changing final frame before he walks through the Crucible Theatre
curtains to take on former stablemate Gerard Greene.
"You never know I just may do," he said. "I've seen bits and pieces of the
match against Stephen and it always sends a shiver down my spine.
"To be honest I'm almost relieved to get here. I've found it very difficult
this year, personally as world champion, to attach any meaning to a lot of the
other tournaments.
"So it's a tremendous buzz to be back here. It's what I've wanted to do all
season.
"In the back of my mind, and knowing how my preparation went last year when I
peaked at the right time, I've almost not wanted to play well.
"It's been difficult knowing I didn't want to be in top form before I got to
Sheffield. That may sound strange but that's the way I genuinely feel.
"I don't think I've enjoyed it as much as I could have done. In a way I feel
the job is not finished. It would mean so much to me if I could successfully
defend it.
"And it's going to be a tremendous challenge. Seeing all the great names on
the trophy last year when I won was fantastic.
"To be able to do something those great names haven't done before would be
extra special.
"My focus is already better than it has been all season. It's all about how I
get myself up for it mentally. If I'm in the right frame of mind then there's no
reason why I can't do it."
It has not only been on the table where Ebdon has had problems.
The first half of his reign was marred by snooker's political in-fighting when
Ebdon was one of the regime's most vocal supporters.
There is relative calm in the sport at the moment but Ebdon said: "It is
disappointing to be world champion and have so many other things going on in the
game.
"At the time you would have loved everything to be bliss. A lot of those
things though were outside my control.
"Hopefully now snooker is a sport which is going to grow. It certainly
deserves to do because it is a great game."
Greene, the world number 63 from Rainham in Kent, provides the first
opposition for Ebdon over the best of 19 frames on Saturday.
Greene defeated former top 16 star Anthony Hamilton 10-3 to qualify and is a
more than capable player.
"He is going to be a tough opponent," said Ebdon. "It's been said I'm in
the easier half of the draw but I'm experienced enough by now to realise there
is no such thing as a good draw or a bad draw.
"If you don't play well you are going to get beat. It doesn't matter who is
in the other half or who your next opponent is.
"It's the oldest cliche I know. But it worked for me last year and hopefully
it can work for me again."
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