Defending champion Luca Brecel stunned by David Gilbert at World Snooker Championship opener

David Gilbert’s stunning comeback victory over Luca Brecel at the World Snooker Championship sent shockwaves through the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Brecel, the defending champion, fell victim to the ‘Crucible curse’ as Gilbert reeled off the final four frames to secure a thrilling 10-9 win.

The Belgian had led 6-3 after the first session, but Gilbert’s resurgence, fueled by three successive half-centuries and a nerveless 65 break, proved too much for Brecel to handle. The missed green off its spot when Brecel was on the brink of victory at 9-8 was a pivotal moment in the match, highlighting the wild shot choices and careless errors that plagued the champion throughout.

For Gilbert, the victory marked a stunning revival after years of questioning his motivation to continue in the sport. Having won just one Crucible match in the past four years, Gilbert’s determination and skill were on full display as he completed the comeback against the defending champion.

In other matches, Judd Trump established a 6-3 lead over Hossein Vafaei, while Stephen Maguire and Ali Carter were locked in a tight battle with Carter holding a 5-4 lead. The action continues on Sunday with Mark Selby, Shaun Murphy, and more set to take the stage.

The World Snooker Championship is off to an exciting start, with unexpected results and thrilling comebacks keeping fans on the edge of their seats. As the tournament progresses, the drama is sure to intensify, making for a must-watch event for snooker enthusiasts around the world.