The 33-year-old reached his first ever ranking quarter-final in Yushan and beat Tom Ford 5-3 on Thursday, with breaks of 133, 103, 88, 73 and 70 along the way.
‘Unbeaten record!’ Surety said. ‘Quarter-finals are easy!’
There had been little to suggest this run was coming as Surety had not been past the last 32 of any tournament this season before his trip to Yushan.
It was a surprise result to beat Si Jiahui 5-0 in qualifying and he has backed that up with wins over Jordan Brown, Duane Jones, Liu Hongyu and now Ford.
However, he still has some mixed feelings, which illustrates how tricky he has found the mental side of being a professional snooker player since first joining the main tour in 2014.
Asked how he felt on the morning of his first quarter-final, the world number 89 said: ‘A bit flat, we’re doing the same thing every day. I was a bit excited. It’s weird because it’s unknown territory.
‘It sounds really negative but as much as I’m enjoying the run, I’m waiting to go home. I want a cup of tea, I want to go running in the woods, play with me dogs and see me mum. I don’t know if that’s relaxing me or not.
‘When I’m in there I’m desperate to win, I want to be a top snooker player. I’m fighting myself and what’s going on in there.
‘You’ve got to enjoy it while it’s here and see what happens tomorrow.’
Surety has spoken before about his struggles with anxiety, making travelling especially difficult for him.
He appears to be getting the better of those issues this week, though, and is rewarded with a semi-final meeting with John Higgins on Friday.
‘I’ve never heard of him. He’s quite good is he?’ Surety joked.
‘Obviously it’s exciting. I played him earlier on in China [2024 Wuhan Open], had quite a close game, but that was out back on table four or five. It’s different now, semi-final, one-table.
‘He’s one of the best ever. I still pinch myself being around people like John. I’ve got him in a semi-final, I’ve got to start believing in myself a bit.’
Surety will continue to battle his own doubts, but hopefully they will be quietened by his brilliant run.
On showing that he belongs at the elite level, he said: ‘About time! I’ve been going long enough. I question myself every day, even when I’m in there [playing]. I’ve got to enjoy it while I’m here.’
Higgins is certainly not underestimating a player who started this tournament ranked number 89 in the world.
‘I played Zak earlier on this season, we had a good game, I managed to win 5-3, he’s really improved so much this week,’ said the four-time world champ.
‘He looks as though he’s really relaxed, he’s got his manager and friend with him, really enjoying it, had a great win against Tom. He’s such a dangerous player so I’ve just got to go and try and play my best.’
Surety has already guaranteed himself £33,000 for a run to the semis, having won £33,750 over the entire season before going to Yushan.
It will be a dramatic climb up the rankings even if his run ends at the hands of Higgins, but there are greater prizes ahead, with the winner in Yushan claiming £175,000 and the runner-up taking £75,000.
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