Malta Cup champion Shaun Murphy believes his success over Irishman Ken Doherty on Mediterranean soil came at the perfect time to reinvigorate his season.
The Englishman battled his way to a 9-3 victory over the Dubliner in last night's final in Portomaso.
But there's no rest for the Rotherham-based professional despite his sweet success at the Hilton Conference Centre.
On Wednesday the world number three returns to action in the second round of the Welsh Open in Newport, the next tournament on the snooker calendar.
"It (my victory) couldn't have come at a better time for me," revealed Murphy. "I'm full of confidence and looking forward to Wales, I've had a lot of good match practice leading into the tournament.
"I'm very pleased it's just 12 months since my last title. I've given myself plenty of chances this season, but who knows, hopefully this won't be the last of the season."
In successfully defending his title, Murphy became only the second player do have won back-to-back titles on the Mediterranean island.
Only Stephen Hendry, the seven-times world champion, has achieved the feat when, in 2001 he won the Rothmans Grand Prix and European Open titles at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.
He added: "I'm chuffed to get my name up there with the likes of Stephen Hendry in the record stakes, it's very pleasing. Hopefully it won't be the first record I break of his.
"It means the world to me to win this title again, I love coming to Malta and playing in this tournament.
"I was pleased to come through in the end, my best break probably came in the last frame, but it was a nice way to finish the match."
Doherty won the opener with a break of 91, but Murphy won the next four frames for a welcome cushion.
His opponent won two more frames, but by winning five of the next seven frames victory was secured - and with a third major title.
"There is a little spot on the mantle piece at home for the trophy. It wasn't the best of finals, but winning meant so much to me and Ken.
"It could have been a lot closer at the interval, but I was glad to have led 5-2. Even then I knew Ken could come back at me, but I just stuck in there and stated focused.
"Ken's a very crafty player and the match was very stagnated in patches, but that's matchplay snooker, it was two players not giving each other anything.
"I feel like I've probably played Ken in the style he would have liked the match to have gone, he's very good in the tactical and safety department.
"Ken doesn't play any wrong shots, so to get any type of opportunity you've got to knock some long reds in - or be very lucky."