STUART Bingham says he is confident of a strong start to the new snooker season as he heads into some key qualifications matches this week.

The recently-deposed world champion will play Indian Open, World Open and Riga Masters qualifiers this week, ahead of the start of the regulation season at the start of July.

His first opponent will be Chinese talent Cao Yupeng in the Indian Open qualification round, the same man he beat 5-0 just two months ago in the China Open.

But Bingham, who turned 40 earlier this month, says he will not be taking the challenge of Cao for granted as he aims to continue his form from the end of the last campaign.

“My season starts today,” said Bingham, ahead of the match which starts at 7pm UK time tonight. “Qualifying for these events is very important and have been working hard to make sure I am in the best condition going into these events.

“He went to Q School this year and came through it comprehensively so I will need to be focused on what I need to do.

“I did well in my last few tournaments of last season and I bring that confidence into this year. I had a couple of weeks off over the World Championships and I have been hitting well ever since coming back to the table. It is important to keep your arm in.”

Bingham has been doing that by playing a number of frames with the man he beat in the 2015 World Snooker Championship final, Shaun Murphy.

And he said that was the perfect way to start what will be a busy season.

“I have just got back from a few days practice with Shaun Murphy,” he said. “He won one day and I won the other but I feel I am doing well so that is good ahead of a couple of big qualifiers.”

Bingham will take on Scot Eden Sharav in the World Open qualifiers on Wednesday, before a match with Darryl Mann in the Riga Masters qualifiers on Saturday.