Peter Lines admits he is looking forward to the atmosphere when he takes part in this week’s Dafabet English Open. The Leeds-based star, who beat Stephen Hendrie and John Parrott on his way to winning last year’s World Seniors Championship, heads to Barnsley hoping for a boost after failing to qualify for the last two events. However, despite his recent issues he has shown some decent form so far this season, reaching the fourth round of the Paul Hunter Classic and the third round of the European Masters.
The Metrodome is a familiar venue to him having played there in qualifying and he goes up against Barry Hawkins in the opening round, a match he is 10/3 to win, with the 2013 World finalist the 1/6 favourite. Despite his underdog tag, Lines knows he can upset the odds, especially having played so well last year. Alongside those victories against Hendry and Parrott, he also defeated Neil Robertson at the UK Championship in York on the way to regaining his tour card.
The 47-year-old clearly enjoys playing in his home county and he says he is expecting this week’s event in Barnsley to be extremely well supported. “We have played at the Metrodome a few times in qualifiers, but never in a full ranking event,” he is quoted as saying by the Yorkshire Post. “I hope the fans come out to support us, the fans turn up and create a good atmosphere. “Sport is popular in Yorkshire. Hopefully, Barnsley will be the same – events in Leeds, the UK finals in York and obviously Sheffield get crowds – and people will come to support the snooker.”
Dafabet English Open odds available at Dafabet.