Ireland's Ken Doherty insists he cannot take "anything for granted" at the China Open.
The former world champion locks horns with Cleveland professional Mike Dunn today in the first round of this week's showcase event.
And the world number four knows he faces a tough test against Dunn at the Beijing Sports Gymnasium.
"Mike's a very good player, he's got a win under his belt [from the wildcard round], so he'll be confident," admitted Doherty.
"But I'm playing well and feel good about my game. If I play well then I'm confident of winning."
Doherty struggled for the first part of this season but then raised his game to reach the semi-finals of the SAGA Insurance Masters at Wembley and followed with a few more significant wins.
But the Irishman, a six-time ranking event winner, has slipped to a provisional 15th in the world rankings - and if he does not perform in China or at the World Championship in Sheffield next month, then he risks falling out of the top 16.
Doherty has been a member of that elite for 15 consecutive seasons, but the 38-year-old concedes it is "getting tougher and tougher" to stay at the top.
He continued: "It's very important for me to play well in China. It would be nice to get some ranking points under my belt because that way I'll take the pressure off myself before the World Championship.
"I love it out here, I've had some good performances. I reached a semi-final and a final and you're always well received by the crowds, the Chinese love their snooker.
"Early in the season I wasn't playing well, but going there my form is good and I'm certainly up for the challenge."
Doherty is joined in Beijing by fellow Dubliner Fergal O'Brien as well as Ulstermen Joe Swail and Mark Allen.
O'Brien and Allen both won their wildcard round matches on the opening day to secure their passage through to the first round proper.
And on day two Glaswegian Graeme Dott will be one of the star attractions. The champion begins the defence of his title against Norwich professional Barry Pinches, another player who had to win a wildcard match to progress.
Wiltshire cueman Stephen Lee takes on Nigel Bond, while O'Brien faces Glaswegian Stephen Maguire in a repeat of the Northern Ireland Trophy final.
The evening matches will see Chinese crowd-puller Ding Junhui lock horns with Cambridgeshire's Joe Perry, while seven-times world champion Stephen Hendry faces Beckenham left-hander Barry Hawkins.
Six-time Crucible champion Steve Davis meets Romford left-hander Mark King in his opening match, with Welsh duo Ryan Day - a finalist at this season's Shanghai Masters - and Matthew Stevens going head to head.
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