FORMER snooker world champion Terry Griffiths says Michael Wasley can build on his Crucible heroics despite a disappointing start to the season.
Gloucester's Wasley defeaeted Ding Junhui 10-9 on his debut in the world championships, in one of the biggest upsets the event has seen.
Griffiths works regularly with Wasley and his Gloucester colleague Rob Milkins and he watched Wasley's win with pride.
"It was very edgy watching," said Griffiths. "I didn't enjoy the session I commentated on when he lost to Dominic Dale in the next round though."
"To go to the Crucible on your debut and beat a top seed is a massive feat for any player," he said.
Stroud-based Dale won comfortably, and Griffiths said: "He is a good player, and played some immaculate stuff against Michael."
"For the top seeds, the first game at the Crucible is tough as the qualifiers come in match-sharp, but Michael handled the pressure superbly."
This season has not started well for Wasley. He lost to four-times world champion John Higgins in the Wuxi Classic, then went down 5-1 to Craig Steadman in the Australian Open qualifiers.
"It is early yet," said Griffiths.
"He works very hard and has lots of natural ability. He has improved a lot in the past few seasons, and is a totally different player to the one which came through the qualifying school a couple of years ago."
As well as his own input, Griffiths says the time Wasley spends with Milkins is also a big help to him.
"Rob and Paul Mount have helped him a lot. Rob is a shrewd player, which he doesn't always get credit for."
"Practising with Rob and other top players based in Gloucester has really helped bring Michael's game along."
Wasley booked his Crucible adventure with a thrilling 10-9 victory over his mate Milkins, which, in Griffiths' words, capped "a poor six months" for the 38-year-old.
"Rob had a bad second half of the season," said Griffiths. "He suffered a few losses, which were unexpected in terms of the rankings."
Milkins starts the season at number 20 in the rankings, beating Chris Norbury to reach the final stages of the Wuxi Classic.
Withdrawals have given him an automatic place in the Australian Goldfields Open, so he has an early chance to turn his form around.
"Rob has got a chance in Wuxi and Australia to start pushing back towards the top 16," he said.
