Jamie Cope’s quest for a two-year tour card on the Main Tour continues on Friday when he goes head-to-head with fellow Englishman Joel Walker at Meadowside Leisure Centre in Burton on Trent. Cope, who has been on the professional tour twice – from 2002–2004 and 2005–2017 – ousted John Pritchett 4-1 in the first round of Q School before dispatching Adam Edge 4-2 in round two. The 32-year-old from Longton has looked impressive so far, making one century and another two breaks over 50 across the two matches, and he will be confident of progressing.
With four Main Tour cards up for grabs, each player left in the competition knows four more victories will guarantee a two-year card and a chance to compete in ranking tournaments for the next two seasons. Cope, who has two non-ranking wins to his name, will need to be on top of his game to get past Walker as the latter has dominated their previous meetings. The 24-year-old, a professional from 2012-2016, has won all three matches against his compatriot, with the most recent win coming in round two of Q School last year. Walker is also relatively fresh going into the third-round encounter after he trashed Stefan Mazrocis 4-0 before receiving a walkover against Iranian Mohammadali Pordel.
It is sure to be another intriguing clash on Friday and Cope is the 2/5 favourite to move into the next round, while his opponent is the 7/4 outsider to progress. Elsewhere in round three, Ben Hancorn goes up against Sam Thistlewhite, Hammad Miah takes on Farakh Ajaib whilst Lee Daegyu faces a tricky test against Reanne Evans.