Cao Yupeng reckons football is behind superb form on snooker table

The 32-year-old has hit an impressive purple patch, winning his last four matches without dropping a frame, most recently beating Dave Gilbert 4-0 in Brentwood on Tuesday morning.

This follows whitewash wins over Ashley Hugill, Mink Nutcharut and Jiang Jun at the International Championship, English Open and Wuhan Open qualifiers respectively, leaving him 19-0 over his last four matches.

After downing Gilbert in Essex Cao told Metro.co.uk: ‘When I got to 2-0 today I just thought, maybe 4-0 today as well! But then I tried not to think like that, just concentrate on every shot, don’t think about 4-0 and whatever, just concentrate on the game.

‘The last few matches I’ve got a very good feeling and actually I’ve not been practicing really hard, I just want to keep the feeling like this.’

The two-time ranking finalist has traded in practice on the table for playing football, which he believes has helped him look forward to matches more and sharpen up body and mind.

Asked what might have brought about his fine form, he said: ‘Playing more football. Last season I didn’t play very well, I practiced too much and put pressure on myself too much.

‘At the start of this season I joined a football team and every week I play three or four times and practice less. When I come to the tournament and matches I feel like I want to play, not that I hate snooker.

‘I play with a university team in Sheffield, all Chinese players, but sometimes we play with English players as well. I played three or four years in China, but when I came to the UK it wasn’t easy to find a team.

‘My body and mind and everything feels stronger after playing football.’

A winger and occasional centre-forward, Cao’s team is Manchester United and favourite player Marcus Rashford, but admits: ‘It’s not a good season this season, so I don’t want to watch it!’

Cao is into the last 32 in Brentwood, where he plays Oliver Lines or Martin Gould, and is aiming to keep up his run of perfection, saying: ‘I hope so! I just keep trying.’

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