CHRIS Melling says the pressure is all on him as he gets ready to face a four-time women's champion in a prestigious pool tournament.

The Keighley-based potter will take on Emma Cunningham, of Northern Ireland, in the opening round of the Professional Event 1 event in the inaugural Ultimate Pool Professional and Challenger Series, taking place between August 6 and 8.

Melling says tomorrow night will be the first time he has faced Cunningham and he doesn't recall playing too many women at then pool table during his career so far.

The 8-ball pool tournament sees 32 professionals and 128 amateur players take to the table at the Players Pool and Snooker Lounge in Newcastle-under-Lyme for the first long-weekend event of the season. They will also be competing for some of the £59,000 prize money up for grabs in four competitions.

The winner of the Professional Event 1 category will receive a £10,000 first prize, the runner-up will receive £4,000 and the semi-finalists will get £2,000 each.

All 32 professional players taking part in this weekend's tournament will feature in two straight knockout events over the three days.

Fans can also watch Melling and co in action at the tournament on FreeSports TV.

Melling, 42, says he faces a tough opening round test against Cunningham and is happy to be playing English pool once again.

He said: "It's a tough match against a very good player.

"I have not played too many women.

"I have known Emma for the last 20 years, I have watched her grow up in the sport. The pressure is all on me.

"Emma has won the women's world championship four times. I will need to bring my A-game to beat her.

"I don't look any further than the first round really. If I play well, I have a really good chance in the tournament.

"The event has a big sponsor and it's on TV, the rounds will get tougher and tougher later in the tournament.

"I've not been playing too much English pool, so it will be nice to do that in this event. I have been playing more American pool and snooker.

"If I play like I did last Monday (at the Ultimate Pool Masters), I will get beaten. I did not prepare very well for that event. I didn't have a lot of confidence. I played pretty badly and you can't do that."

Melling also hopes to continue his good 2021 at the table so far with success this weekend.

In March he won £10,000 in the Vinny Champions League Pool event, by beating six-time World Champion Mick Hill in the final.