This mini interview with Earl Strickland took place midway through the World Pool Championship in July 2003.

AZB: Congrats on the win today. You trailed early didn't you?

Earl: Yeah, I played a great safe on the guy early. And he took out a jump cue and jumped out of the safety to take a 2-1 lead. That really got to me. I told myself that I was going to beat him after that. When I got to the table next, I ran 7 racks on him.

AZB: You play Steve Davis tomorrow in a rematch of the last match at the Mosconi Cup. Are you looking forward to that?

Earl: Well, if I play the way I did today he is going to lose. I don't think Steve has the break that is needed to win this thing.

AZB: Will it give you any feeling of revenge if you win tomorrow?

Earl: I was really sick during Mosconi Cup last year. No one believes that I was affected by that, but I was in a lot of pain at that time last year.

AZB: Having watched some of the other matches, are there any particular players that look especially tough this year?

Earl: I think the entire field is tougher. If I beat Davis, I would probably play Yang next and he is playing good. Efren got a little lucky in his match today, but they didn't put him in the hall of fame for nothing. He is always dangerous.

I think all of these guys would have a harder time if they were forced to break from the box though.

AZB: Do you think you are a favorite in the field now?

Earl: I have picked up my game, and I am hitting them better than I have all year. I think they take me for granted out here. But I am making balls better than almost all of these guys right now. Besides Yang and Bustamante, I think I am hitting them cleaner in the pocket than the rest of these guys.

AZB: Good luck with your match tomorrow, and the rest of the way in the tournament.

Earl: Thanks. I am going to do everything I can to bring the title back to the US.

Photo courtesy of Matchroom Sport.