STUART Bingham is hopeful an extended preparation in Asia will benefit him for the upcoming China Open.

The 41-year-old from Bowers Gifford made the trip to Beijing earlier this week ahead of Monday’s first round match against Matthew Stevens.

The tournament is Bingham’s final change to book his place in the season ending World Championships next month.

And with big prize money up for grabs in China, Bingham wanted to give himself the best possible chance of success.

“I’ve come out early for a few reasons,” said Bingham, who reached the final of the Romanian Masters two weeks ago. “I wanted to beat the jet lag as it’s an important tournament for me regarding the tournament itself and for the World Championships.

“I also had a couple of exhibitions lined up plus I’m talking to a few potential sponsors so it was well worth coming out here early.

“I feel my preparation is pretty good for this tournament. The main preparation is the jet lag so hopefully that will be sorted by next week.

“Everyone can play these days so it depends on how the balls run on the day but I’m feeling good about my game at the moment.

“I will take every positive from Romania because getting so close to winning another tournament is hard enough in itself and I beat some good players on the way.

“I was disappointed to lose but having only been back two months or so [following a three month ban] I can only take the positives from it.”

With only the top 16 automatically qualifying for the World Championships at the Crucible, 15th placed Bingham is under pressure from the Romanian Masters conqueror Ryan Day, Masters champion Mark Allen and Stephen Maguire.

Such is the prize money in China, one victory could make a big difference in the race to Sheffield and Bingham, who did not qualify for last week’s Players’ Championships, is determined to make his time at the table count.

“I’m sitting OK in the rankings after the Players Championships,” said the 2015 World Champion. “I’m 15th at the moment with Ryan Day 16th but he’s not in the China Open so he can’t climb above me.

“Mark Allen is 17th so he just needs to win one more match than me at the China Open to go above me. Stephen Maguire is 18th and needs at least the semi-final in Beijing to go above me.

“With the prize money doubling from last year there’s a lot to play for so someone in 32nd in the rankings could win this and they’ll jump into the top 16.

“It would be great to automatically qualify for the World Championships but if I have to qualify then so be it.”