Oliver Lines has admitted that nerves played a significant role in his defeat by the legendary John Higgins in the semi-finals of the Unibet British Open. The young Englishman, who impressed throughout the tournament, was unable to carry his momentum into the final showdown after falling short in a hard-fought match, with the experienced Higgins prevailing 6-4.
Reflecting on the match, Lines was candid about the impact of the high-stakes environment. “The nerves got the better of me,” he admitted. “I’ve been playing really well throughout the tournament, but today, when it came to the big occasion, I couldn’t quite handle it like I wanted to.”
Lines, 28, had been one of the standout players of the tournament, taking down several big names on his path to the semi-finals. However, facing a player of Higgins’ caliber a four-time world champion and a snooker legend brought a different level of pressure.
Despite a bright start, which saw Lines take an early lead, Higgins’ vast experience and calm under pressure began to show. As Lines struggled to maintain his composure, Higgins took control of the match, executing precision shots and capitalizing on the few mistakes his younger opponent made.
Lines, though disappointed, remained upbeat about his performance throughout the tournament. “It’s tough to lose, but there are positives I can take from this,” he said. “I’ve learned so much from being in this kind of situation, and it’s only going to make me stronger for the future.”
The defeat marks a significant milestone in Lines’ career, as it was his first appearance in the semi-finals of a major ranking event. While he fell just short of reaching his first final, his performance has been widely praised, with many seeing it as a potential turning point in his career.
Higgins, meanwhile, acknowledged Lines’ talent after the match. “Oliver’s a great player, and he’s got a bright future ahead of him,” said the Scottish veteran. “He gave me a tough game out there, and I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of him at this level.”
The experience will no doubt serve as a valuable learning curve for Lines, who now has his sights set on building on this breakthrough in the coming months. With his ability to mix it up with some of the sport’s biggest names, Lines has shown he has the potential to be a force in the world of snooker.
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