Nigel Bond believes his shock defeat of Peter Ebdon in the first round of the World Championships was proof that he can cue his way out of the snooker wilderness.

Bond's 10-5 victory was only his third win of the season and represented a major surprise against the 2002 world champion whose recent form had been underlined by his victory at the China Open.

Ranked a 500-1 outsider at the start of the tournament, Bond now faces the winner of the match between Stephen Lee and Ryan Day for a place in the third round.

"I don't really mind who gets through," he said.

"I'm happy to just still be there. I look forward to a best of 25, which I haven't played since 2006 when I beat Stephen Hendry."

Bond's composed display against Ebdon carried echoes of the way he performed when he reached the 1995 final at the Crucible.

His career never really took after that but he still feels capable of matching anyone in the game.

"I don't really look at the odds to be honest, I never looked at the betting for the match," he said. "I feel that if I produce the stuff I'm capable of, then I'm capable of beating anyone really.

"I wanted to finish the season on a high, and Peter was obviously favourite after winning the ranking event in China.

"So in that respect I suppose I didn't really have anything to lose."

Other results: N. Robertson bt S. Davis 10-2; S. Murphy bt A. Higginson 10-8; J. Cope bt J. Perry 10-6.