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Ssb - all eyes on brecel
Thefirst day of the Betfred.com World Championship must be the best opening therehas ever been to this great tournament.
Therewas Stephen Hendry’s superlative session, highlighted by his maximum, Neil Roberton’sthree successive centuries, seeds Martin Gould and Mark Allen left trailing andthen last night a genuine Crucible thriller.
JohnHiggins, who has struggled all season to replicate the game which brought him afourth world title last year, scraped through 10-9 against Liang Wenbo.
Idon’t know how snooker players find the nerve to make clearances like the oneHiggins eventually completed to finally win but it ensured he did not becomethe eighth Crucible champion to fall at the first fence.
Itis likely he will now face his fellow Scot Hendry for the first time in theWorld Championship.
Today,Luca Brecel makes history as the first Belgian to play at the Crucible and,having turned 17 last month, the youngest player to do so.
Belgianjournalists have packed into the pressroom to follow his progress. Indeed, theteenager was front page news back home after qualifying. Hendry telephoned himto congratulate him on taking his record.
Amidthe swirl of emotions going through his mind today, Brecel may find it hard toconcentrate on actually playing. Stephen Maguire is a tough-as-old-bootsopponent.
ButBrecel seems level headed and has already beaten four experienced opponents toqualify. A fascinating session awaits.
CaoYupeng certainly took to life at the Crucible impressively, although his 5-2lead over Allen was trimmed to 5-4.
DaveGilbert was good value for his 6-3 lead over Gould, whose residency in theelite top 16 seems to have affected his thinking.
Inan interview for Eurosport, Gould revealed that at one point this season hestarted packing a case for the qualifiers before remembering he was in the top16.
Beinga seeded player brings its own pressure. You are there to be shot at.
However,Gould potted an extraordinary last red to win the final frame yesterday and acomeback certainly can’t be ruled out.
More...
Therewas Stephen Hendry’s superlative session, highlighted by his maximum, Neil Roberton’sthree successive centuries, seeds Martin Gould and Mark Allen left trailing andthen last night a genuine Crucible thriller.
JohnHiggins, who has struggled all season to replicate the game which brought him afourth world title last year, scraped through 10-9 against Liang Wenbo.
Idon’t know how snooker players find the nerve to make clearances like the oneHiggins eventually completed to finally win but it ensured he did not becomethe eighth Crucible champion to fall at the first fence.
Itis likely he will now face his fellow Scot Hendry for the first time in theWorld Championship.
Today,Luca Brecel makes history as the first Belgian to play at the Crucible and,having turned 17 last month, the youngest player to do so.
Belgianjournalists have packed into the pressroom to follow his progress. Indeed, theteenager was front page news back home after qualifying. Hendry telephoned himto congratulate him on taking his record.
Amidthe swirl of emotions going through his mind today, Brecel may find it hard toconcentrate on actually playing. Stephen Maguire is a tough-as-old-bootsopponent.
ButBrecel seems level headed and has already beaten four experienced opponents toqualify. A fascinating session awaits.
CaoYupeng certainly took to life at the Crucible impressively, although his 5-2lead over Allen was trimmed to 5-4.
DaveGilbert was good value for his 6-3 lead over Gould, whose residency in theelite top 16 seems to have affected his thinking.
Inan interview for Eurosport, Gould revealed that at one point this season hestarted packing a case for the qualifiers before remembering he was in the top16.
Beinga seeded player brings its own pressure. You are there to be shot at.
However,Gould potted an extraordinary last red to win the final frame yesterday and acomeback certainly can’t be ruled out.
More...
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