def load_matches(self):
        """Load matches of the previous failed execution from the recovery file.

        :returns matches: a list of matches in JSON format
        """
        if not self.exists():
            return []

        matches = []
        with open(self.location(), 'r') as f:
            for line in f.readlines():
                match_obj = json.loads(line.strip("\n"))
                if match_obj['processed']:
                    continue

                matches.append(match_obj)

        return matches
Load matches of the previous failed execution from the recovery file.

        :returns matches: a list of matches in JSON format