Despite only one ranking event success this season, the mother-of-one from Dudley is still her rivals favourite to clinch the title.
European champion Evans, 22, partner of NI professional Mark Allen, won the UK Championship but missed the next two tournaments due to clashes with the EASB Pro-Ticket Tour and the IBSF World Championship in Thailand.
After lifting her second IBSF title, Evans’ 35-match unbeaten run in women’s events was ended by Emma Bonney at the South Coast Classic.
Another defeat, after leading 2-0 against Maria Catalano in the Connie Gough final, proved that the undisputed world number one is not invincible.
Evans said: “Cambridge has been a good venue for me. Obviously I would love to win the title for the fourth time but also to remain world champion because that’s the best you can be.
“Although there are some very good players such as Maria, June, Emma and Katie, I still feel confident enough in my game to win.”
Katie ‘Hooray’ Henrick, who lost 5-3 to Evans in last year’s final, said: “Obviously Reanne is the main threat even though she’s not won the last couple of tournaments.
“We all know that if we want to beat Reanne we’ve got to play well; we’ve got to be going there with our best game.”
The 27-year-old from Bickley, Kent, added: “I think there’s three or four girls who can possibly win it. I’m looking forward to it.”
Queen of the South Emma Bonney, from Portsmouth, who earlier this month teamed up with Evans to win the European women’s team championships for England in Glasgow, said: “Obviously Reanne, I think you’d still rather play her later than earlier.
“You’re looking at Maria, Katie and June as the main ones to look out for – and avoid,” she laughed.
Kent-based June Banks reckons that the recent defeats will just make Evans hungrier.
“The World Championship seems to bring out the best in her,” said the former England international. “She’s the one to beat.”
And Banks added: “It depends on the draw and who else is entering from overseas.”
Maria Catalano, Ronnie O’Sullivan’s 26-year-old cousin, who was a major doubt for the event due to work commitments at her dad Antonio’s ice-cream business in Dudley, has confirmed her entry.
WLBSA chairman Mandy Fisher said: “Maria did fantastic to come back against Reanne.
“I think, because she did that, it will make Reanne more determined not to lose.”
Allison Fisher, now playing on the US pool circuit, is the all-time record holder with seven world titles.
Thanks to a new sponsorship deal, Chitra Magimairaj jets over from India chasing a hat-trick of billiards titles.
Jaique Ip-Wan In, who was beaten by Evans in the semi-finals in Thailand, flies in from Hong Kong.
Pam Wood, from Newcastle, has been working with WSA coach Mike Dunn and would like the chance to defend the doubles title she won last year with Chris Sharpe, from Chelmsford.
Beaten finalists in 2007, Wood and ex-professional Gary Wilson are hoping to go one better in the mixed pairs.
“I’d love to qualify this year for the singles,” she said.
Former Swedish pool star Eva Palmius defends the Seniors title.
Derby schoolgirl and England international Hannah Jones, 11, reckons it would be “cool” to lift the junior crown. Jones lost 2-0 in the 2006 final to Suzie Opacic, from Chandler’s Ford.
2007/2008 roll of honour:
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World Ladies Billiards & Snooker Association 2008 World Championships
3 – 8 May
Cambridge Snooker Centre
Coldhams Road
Cambridge
CB1 3EW
Tel: 01223 249 661
Programme:
Saturday | May 3 | 0945hrs |
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| Round-robin draw | |
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| 1000hrs | to 1800hrs | Round-robin group matches | ||
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Sunday | May 4 | 1000hrs | to conclusion | Round-robin group matches | ||
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| World Junior |
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Monday | May 5 | 1000hrs. |
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| Plate competition |
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| 1330hrs |
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| Quarter-finals - best of seven | |
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| World Mixed Billiards | |
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Tuesday | May 6 | 1000hrs |
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| World Billiards & Seniors | |
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| 1600hrs |
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| Semi-finals - best of seven | |
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| World Seniors |
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Wednesday | May 7 | 1000hrs |
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| World Ladies Doubles/Seniors Final | |
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| 1330hrs |
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| World final - best of nine | |
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Thursday | May 8 | 1000hrs |
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| World Mixed Pairs |
World Ladies Billiards & Snooker Association rankings |
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2007/08 |
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provisional |
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1 | Reanne | Evans | Gornal, West Midlands |
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2 | Katie | Henrick | Bickley, Kent |
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3 | June | Banks | Orpington, Kent |
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4 | Maria | Catalano | Dudley, West Midlands |
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5 | Jenny | Poulter | Maidstone, Kent |
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6 | Emma | Bonney | Portsmouth, Hants |
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7 | Chris | Sharpe | Chelmsford, Essex |
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8 | Suzie | Opacic | Brambridge, Hants |
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9 | Gaye | Jones | Melksham, Wilts |
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10 | Eva | Palmius | Royston, Herts |
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11 | Martina |