Snooker is massive in the Far East; they give you the red-carpet treatment...I'm really looking forward to it Nigel Bond

Nigel Bond is eager to finish a disappointing season on a high and retain his place in the world's top 32.

The Derbyshire cueman has struggled for form this campaign and needs a good run in next week's China Open in Beijing.

Bond, who plays Shaun Murphy in the first round on Wednesday, told BBC Sport: "It's been disappointing but I need to go there and give it a good go.

"If I win a couple of matches then it could make up for losing in the World Championship qualifying."

Bond was ranked 29th at the start of the season but a succession of first-round exits has seen his provisional ranking drop to 42.

Following his defeat against Martin Gould in the final qualifying round of the World Championship in Sheffield, that rating will have slipped further.

But although he was beaten 10-4 by Gould, his opponent produced some of his best snooker and Bond remains in a positive frame of mind about his exit.

"Martin played really and to be fair I don't think I did a lot wrong," he said. "I feel like I'm hitting the balls well and things are going well in practice."

Bond, 44, knows a good showing in Beijing could be just the fillip he needs.

And following his gold medal in the World Games in Taiwan last year, playing in the Far East again is something he is relishing.

"It was a cracking event and a fantastic experience and very different to what I'm used to. It was like playing at the Olympics," Bond explained.

"Snooker is massive in the Far East; they give you the red-carpet treatment, they know all the players and I'm really looking forward to it."

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