Gunnell hoping to see the light
Shropshire's Adrian Gunnell was left to rue another below-par display at a final venue as he bowed out of the Welsh Open at Newport. Shropshire's Adrian Gunnell was left to rue another below-par display at a final venue as he bowed out of the Welsh Open at Newport. Despite winning the first frame, Gunnell was defeated 5-1 by Joe Swail yesterday - missing out on the chance to have a tilt at former world champion Ken Doherty in the last 32. Gunnell admits he is struggling to adapt to the differences between playing at qualifying school at Pontins in Prestatyn to the venues for the final stages of ranking tournaments. Read the full story in the Shropshire Star
Despite winning the first frame, Gunnell was defeated 5-1 by Joe Swail yesterday - missing out on the chance to have a tilt at former world champion Ken Doherty in the last 32.
Gunnell admits he is struggling to adapt to the differences between playing at qualifying school at Pontins in Prestatyn to the venues for the final stages of ranking tournaments.
"I just don't seem to be able to play at venues," admitted the 34-year-old from Telford. "Everything seems different.
"The lighting is the big difference because it's twice as bright as what we are used to at Pontins.
"I was confident of beating Joe but I got down to break off in the first frame and it was like looking into the sun. I don't think it's the occasion getting to me.
"I just need to play venues more so I can get used to the differences."
Gunnell's focus now switches to the World Championship qualifiers, where he will need to win two matches to reach the Crucible Theatre for the first time.
In the first of those he will either meet Liu Song, Dene O'Kane or Tony Drago on March 1 at Prestatyn.