CALLAN RYDZ signed another three-year deal with Unicorn and vowed to find the next level.

The 23-year-old from Newcastle has been a rising star of the oche over the past few years.

But he showed his true quality by reaching the quarter-finals of the World Championship last December.

Now Rydz wants to build on the success following a great new deal with Unicorn.

He said: “It’s nice to play well and it’s even better to have rewards with a new deal with Unicorn, it shows that I’m making progress. I’ve already had three great years and this will take me through to 2025.

“The first couple of ProTours were hard this year, I’d hit a 100 average and then lose with a mid-80 average. There was no consistency there at all really.

“I think over the last couple of months I’ve started to show some good form. I’ve reached the final of the ProTour and lost to Michael Smith when we both averaged over 100.

“My game is coming back slowly every day. It’s good timing with the Matchplay on the way.

“I’m not guaranteed in it yet but I know I’m pretty close. But until I’m 100 per cent in, I won’t rest. But I’ll be ready for when I hopefully get there.”

Rydz dropped just one set in 15 as he marched into the World Championship quarter-finals.

He then had Wright on the rack before the eventual World Champ fought back to take the match.

He added: “I was devastated losing the Worlds quarter-final to Peter, I feel I should have won and been in the semi-finals.

“That game when I went 2-0 up is when I thought I could be World Champion. That’s where the lack of experience came in.

“That’s when I felt I really deserve to be on that stage with the big boys. I just wanted to see where I was at.

“Last year I won a ProTour early doors and I know I can compete with the very best now.”

Story by Phil Lanning