Stoke's Jamie Cope beat Paul Davies to reach the World Championships

Jamie Cope has admitted it will be a special moment when he makes his second appearance at the World Championships.

The 23-year-old, from Stoke-on-Trent, starts his first round match against Joe Perry at the Crucible on Monday.

Cope told BBC Radio Stoke: "It was amazing playing there last year, and it was definitely my favourite venue, even though I lost against Peter Ebdon.

"It's going to be good on Monday. Joe's playing to his potential and he's going to be hard to stop."

Cope was beaten in the final frame of the first round by 2002 world champion Ebdon at the Crucible Theatre last year.

The world number 20 still has his sights on a place in the top 16 for next season, but admits he is not looking beyond his first match.

He added: "If I do get past my first match, I'll be looking towards the top 16, but the first match is the main thing and anything past that will be good.

"It would be nice to be at all the tournaments and that's what you're aiming for."

Cope could meet 2007 champion John Higgins in the second round if he can beat Perry.

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