World Snooker Championships: Ricky Walden completes 10-1 mauling of Michael Holt
Ricky Walden claimed an overdue first victory at the Crucible as he polished off a 10-1 win over Michael Holt on Sunday.
Last Updated: 21/04/13 12:04pm
The two-time ranking event winner led 8-1 overnight in his Betfair World Championship opener and, with the minimum of fuss, put Nottingham man Holt out of his misery.
Walden, who won the Shanghai Masters in 2008 and landed the Wuxi Classic at the start of this season, is making his third appearance at the World Championship this year.
He suffered first-round defeats in 2009 and 2011 but the 30-year-old Chester cueman was always in control against Holt, who won his only frame of the match after falling 6-0 behind to at least avoid a rare whitewash.
Walden believes he can be a contender this year and reaching the second round has lifted his personal Crucible curse.
"It's nice to go out there and play how I can and get through," he said.
"I think my game suits these events. I've proved I can win trophies; it's just about settling down and getting comfortable. I don't feel the pressure from the crowd or venues, it's more from myself.
"If I went on a run that wouldn't come as a surprise to me."
