Louis Heathcote is enjoying one of the best runs of this career this week at the Northern Ireland Open and is not ready for it to end just yet.
The 27-year-old won two matches to get to Belfast and has since scored two more huge victories over Mark Selby and then Jimmy Robertson to book his slot in the last 16 against Tian Pengfei on Thursday.
After a dramatic win over Selby on Sunday, Heathcote revealed he hadn’t really planned for a long stay in Northern Ireland, saying: ‘I only brought enough pants to last me to tomorrow, so I need to get to the shops!’
The world number 71 is on a budget, though, so it has been a trip to the launderette rather than the shop to solve his problem.
‘I’ve been and cleaned them, I’ve been down the launderette, I’m not spending any more money on pants!’ Heathcote told Metro. ‘I’ve just bought a house with the missus, so every penny counts.
‘Keep winning matches, they’re all more than welcome, it all helps! Although I’vegot a great sponsor at the minute, Above and Beyond, he’s been amazing for me.
‘We’re moving in December, I haven’t got a clue what I’m doing, it’s been hectic, but luckily we’ve had help around us. I’ve been living with my mum forever, I’m looking forward to it, we should be in for Christmas, it’ll be nice.’
The 4-3 victory over the four-time world champion was one of the best of Heathcote’s career and meant a lot against his fellow Leicester man who he knows well and has enormous respect for.
‘It was tense, it wasn’t really the best match, I didn’t feel like I played well and I’ve not seen Selby struggle like that for a while,’ he said. ‘It’s nice, in a bad way, to play a top 16 player who doesn’t play their best against you.
‘I’m really relieved to win on tele because I’ve not had much TV experience, other than the Shoot Out I’ve played once or twice on the main TV table, so it was nice to get a win under my belt on there. I played a lot better in my second game so that was good.
‘Me and Mark have practiced a couple of times, we’ve got a good relationship, we play golf together. He texts me when I’m doing alright, he said some nice words after and then text me again after my next win, so he’s been really nice.
‘He just said he’s really chuffed for me and hopes I kick on now. He told me to get some more pants after I beat Jimmy as well. That pants thing has gone far from just one comment! I don’t know how many pairs Judd must have, he’s always here all week!’
Into a rare last 16 Heathcote would normally be expecting to face a star name but Tian is also enjoying a deeper than usual run in Belfast.
The two men are battling for tour survival this season with Heathcote at number 68 on the end of season rankings and Tian one spot ahead of him. It is undeniably a huge game.
‘It’s a big game for both of us,’ said the Englishman. ‘We’re both going to be looking at it as an opportunity to get through to the quarters. It should be good. I’m aware he’s next to me in the rankings. It’s an important game but I’m looking forward to it, it’s nice to be here for a few days and not just one and going home.
‘It’s hard to ignore the rankings. Of course you know exactly where you’re at. Everybody’s asking about it, where you are, what you need to do. I tell people I don’t know to end the conversation but obviously I do know.
‘I’m trying not to look at it too much, you’ve just got to keep winning. You end up worrying about other results but you just need to focus on yourself and that’s what I’m trying to do. It’s not like you try any harder, you try your nuts off all year anyway, so what’s the point in looking?’
There have been a fair few shock results so far this week in Belfast, with Heathcote’s good pal Oliver Lines also into the last 16 after downing Mark Allen on Wednesday.
‘I’m really chuffed for him, he’s showing how good he is, I’m really happy for him,’ said Louis. ‘I’ve always rated for him, I think he’s got one of the best cue actions on tour. I don’t get why he hasn’t won as many matches as he should, but it’s nice to see him doing what I know he can do.’
Heathcote takes on Tian on Thursday evening, with Lines facing Neil Robertson in the same session.
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