Oliver Lines has perhaps underachieved in his snooker career and he’s taken a look back at one of the hardest losses of his career to take.
The world number 108 is back on tour now and is aiming to really ignite his career as a professional snooker player.
Lines – the son of fellow professional Peter Lines – has been as high as number 53 in the world and is good friends with Judd Trump.
The Leeds native is still waiting for that breakthrough season and across his career he’s had a number of high-profile wins against the top players.
Now, in an interview, he’s shared which defeat during his career hurt him more than any other.
Oliver Lines shares ‘heartbreaking’ moment from 2022
The moment in question came at the Turkish Masters back in 2022 when Lines was enjoying a relatively successful season.
He defeated Xiao Guodong, Andrew Higginson and Yan Bingtao to set up a quarter-final berth with Shaun Murphy.
Lines eventually lost in a deciding frame and to this day it’s a defeat that haunts him when he looks back.
He told the Talking Snooker podcast: “The Turkey one killed me, I lost to Murphy 5-4 on the last black I think it was. It was heartbreaking because that was to play Judd in the semis as well. It’s funny because I travelled with Judd and I literally said, ‘I’m going to meet you in the semis this week’.
“I don’t know why there was just something I felt it, I felt like I’d get there. I missed a shot at 40 in front in the decider with 43 on against Shaun and I just knew he’d clear up because that’s what those sorts of players do. It’s why they’re at the top of the game because, in the pressure moments, they’re clinical.
“That one really hurt for a while. It was so gutting. As you win and you get on a roll you start to believe a bit more, I was starting to wonder if maybe this was the week.”
Lines still has time on his side to make something from snooker
The talented player has endured a somewhat underwhelming career to date and he’s striving to live up to the potential he had when he was a youngster.
That statement isn’t of detriment to Lines as becoming a snooker player at the top level of the game is a tough thing to do.
Perhaps a little bit more belief is the order of the day for Lines and if he can get things right mentally, perhaps he can start to climb the rankings.
He’s proved during his career that the big players don’t really phase him and as one of the most likeable players on tour, hopefully he can start showcasing his true talent as this season progresses.