 The highlight of Joyce's season came at the China Open where, after narrowly seeing off Fraser Patrick 5–4, he was never behind against Ronnie O'Sullivan in another 5–4 win.It was the only time Joyce played in the last 16 of a ranking event this season and he was defeated 5–3 by Ding Junhui.Joyce practises mainly at the Qbar snooker club in Walsall Wood although he has said in an interview that he travels out at least once a week to practise with other players, in order to keep himself sharp.