NEWLY-CROWNED Shanghai Masters champion Ricky Walden could not build on his heroics in China as he lost a first-round thriller to Ryan Day at the Grand Prix in Glasgow.

Chester-born Walden was “buzzing” after he beat legends of the game Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis and Ronnie O’Sullivan on the way to the first ranking title of his career.

But the world number 35 admitted his incredible victory had hindered his preparations after losing 5-4 to world number eight Day on Sunday.

Walden, the new resident professional at the Chester Snooker Centre on Volunteer Street, said: “I was struggling for most of the match and I didn’t feel comfortable out there. My preparation has not been the best as I have been trying to practise but my head’s been buzzing after Shanghai.

“I’ll take a few days off now, then get back to work because I feel there’s a lot of room for improvement.”