Shropshire snooker star Adrian Gunnell is hoping the happy memories will come flooding back when he returns to the scene of one of his most famous triumphs tomorrow.

The 38-year-old from Telford takes on world No 4 Ding Junhui, who won last year’s UK Championship at Telford, in the last 64 of the World Open.

The match will take place at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow, a venue where Gunnell defeated former world champion Shaun Murphy in the 2008 Grand Prix.

“It definitely helps when you have some good memories of playing somewhere,” said Gunnell. “I remember I used to hate playing at the Guild Hall in Preston because I couldn’t seem to win a match there.

“As I’m driving up to Glasgow today, I’m sure memories of that run to the last 16 a couple of years ago will come back.”

Gunnell will take on Ding over the best-of-five frames, a new sprint format introduced for this ranking tournament under the sport’s overhaul by supremo Barry Hearn.

And, while his hopes of causing a major upset are boosted by the shorter match, he admits his game is undergoing something of a transition.

“I was looking through pictures in an old scrapbook a couple of weeks ago and I think I’ve spotted something technically which could make a big difference,” Gunnell added. “It’s probably going to take two or three months to get to where I need to be to be back to my best.

“But I will give it my best tomorrow and see what happens.”

Gunnell will be in action tomorrow afternoon following the matches involving Stephen Hendry and Mark Williams. The session gets underway at 2pm with coverage on BBC television.

By James Garrison