Eurosport caught up with last year's World Championship finalist Mark Selby ahead of this year's tournament which starts on Saturday.

How has your life changed since you went all the way to the final of the World Championship last year?

It's changed in a way, obviously. I'm a lot more high profile now and I get a lot more work off the table. But it's not changed me as a person.

Which of your titanic clashes during your run to the final is most memorable for you?

The Shaun Murphy match [a 17-16 triumph from 16-14 down in the semi-finals] sticks out from last year. Me and Shaun are really good friends so I gave him a bit of stick about it afterwards!

Did you expect to take that form into 2008 and build upon it?

I knew what I was capable of, but what I've achieved this year I didn't expect. My goal for this year was to win a ranking tournament and finish in the top eight and I've gone beyond that. I've got to reset my goals! It's been a great season for me and I hope it can continue.

Have you changed anything technical about your game that has helped you finally realise your full potential?

I'm more compact than last year and I've got loads more self-belief. I've tried to put my tip closer to the ball and go through it more, but I've also put in a lot more hours and worked on my overall technique.

Will it be more difficult to go all the way this year - and if so, why?

Yes, I think so. People see you as a target when you win tournaments and after what happened last year, I'd obviously be a scalp under their belt, so it could be difficult.

What do you think of the draw?

I'm happy with it. I'm in the best half: some of the top names like Ronnie [O'Sullivan] and [Stephen] Hendry are in the other [top] half so although it's still tough I'm definitely in the better half. It won't be easy for me against Mark King in the first round though, he's been there a few times. He doesn't give much away, he's quite solid and if anything he's underachieved. I'm looking forward to it. If I play to the standard of snooker I've produced this year I'm capable of coming through it.

How do you prepare for a World Championship?

Because it's long distance you have to practice twice as much, I suppose. With most tournaments you can get away with practising for a week or so, but at the World Championship you have to put so much more effort in beforehand.

Is there a difference in your preparation for this year's tournament?

Not really. The way I prepared last year was obviously very good because it got me to the final. This year I'm preparing in similar fashion and I'm also in very good form, playing a lot better. On the back of the Masters win and the Welsh [Open], I've still been consistent getting to the semi-final in China [at the China Open].

What does the Crucible mean to you?

It means everything. As a kid that's all I ever wanted to do, to walk out there and play at the Crucible. To be in the top 16 and be there for the next few years is obviously a great achievement. Hopefully I can be there for the next 10 years.

Which memory of the World Championship from your childhood stands out?

One of Jimmy White's finals against Stephen Hendry - I was about 13 or 14. It was a great game. Back then I obviously wanted Jimmy to win it because he'd never won the World Championship before. It was 17-all and I remember one shot he missed, a black ball on its spot - quite an easy shot for Jimmy White. Stephen Hendry cleared up to win. It was disappointing for me and everyone wanted Jimmy to win the World Championship. He lost to John Parrott in one of them and to Hendry in the other four.

What do you say to the claim you produce your best snooker when behind?

I wouldn't [like to] agree, but obviously it's been proven in matches when I've seemed dead and buried and I've lifted myself to come back and get myself out of those situations, so I have to agree. Obviously I don't mean to get myself in those situations before starting to play good snooker - I want to get off to a good start and avoid them!

What passes through your mind at those times?

I just try and stay positive because I know it's not over until it's over. Until they get to the final number that they need to, you're not out of the tournament - you just have to stay in the tournament, take one ball at a time and one frame at a time.

You are comfortable in fourth place in the provisional world rankings. How do you hope to attack the top three of Shaun Murphy, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Maguire?

I try not to concentrate on the rankings too much. If you win matches the rankings take care of themselves, so that's all I have to do.

Who among the top three players is most likely to emerge as number one at the conclusion of the season?

I'd say Shaun Murphy. At the moment he's very, very consistent - there aren't many times when he'll lose a first-round match. At every tournament he just seems to be getting to semi-finals or finals. At the moment he is provisionally world number one with one tournament to go.

Do you agree that you are the form player going into the Championships?

I'd say I'm one of three. Myself, Shaun and Stephen Maguire are the most consistent players this year.

Who are the other challengers for the top title?

There are a couple of others who can win it. I think Mark Allen is a great player; Ryan Day is yet to win a tournament but there's no reason why he can't - he's definitely underachieved and has reached two finals. Outside of the top eight there's Peter Ebdon and Ken Doherty who have the experience to go on and win it.

Was the 141 clearance against O'Sullivan in the Masters final the most memorable single frame of your career?

Possibly, yeah! It's definitely up there, and to finish it off the way I did, to win the deciding frame and my first major tournament - I couldn't have done it any better. Except of course for a 147!

How did you feel during it?

I was quite focused. I didn't feel anything, strangely enough. You'd think when I got to 30 or 40 points I'd get nervous because I was so close, but I was so focused that I carried on playing and managed to clear up.

What do you hope to achieve in the rest of your career?

Hopefully I can win a lot more ranking titles - that is my aim. I want to stay in the top 16 for years to come, keep knocking on the door and hopefully get a couple of World Championships under my belt as well.

Mark Selby was speaking at the launch of the 888.com World Snooker Championship 2008.

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport