Luca Brecel, the defending world snooker champion, has been knocked out on the opening day of the 2024 tournament after suffering a shock loss to David Gilbert.
He fell short in the deciding-frame at the Crucible as the world No 31 emerged victorious. The Belgian claimed victory in Sheffield 12 months ago as he beat Mark Selby in the final but won't be backing up that success as the so called 'Crucible Curse' strikes again.
No first-time Crucible winner has then gone on to retain their title the following year and the 29-year-old has ensured that stat remains. Brecel had never won a World Championship match until his incredible run in 2023, which including a win over Ronnie O'Sullivan.
Century breaks of 134 and 104 helped him to a 5-2 lead against Gilbert and, despite an effort of 115 from the Englishman in frame eight, Brecel looked in complete control at the end of the first session. Brecel had the best of the second session to lead 9-6, one away from victory. He missed a red with the rest when 55-1 ahead in the 16th frame and then, when he was in front 51-6 two frames later, failed to pot a green off its spot.
Gilbert then missed match-ball in the last frame when holding a 69-0 advantage, but Brecel could not take the late opportunity as the 2019 semi-finalist advanced and last year's champion is was left to pack his bags.
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Brecel arrived in Sheffield with arguably the lowest expectations of any returning champion. He had only reached a solitary ranking event quarter-final this season before failing to rediscover his best form at the world championship.
Brecel admitted he had been struggling with a throat infection since March, but did not use that as an excuse for losing. "I wanted to go for a run but it wasn't possible and it has been a bit tough these few weeks," said the 29-year-old.
The defending champion has fallen victim of the 'Crucible Curse'"Maybe if I was not defending champion I would've pulled out, but it's too big to pull out when you are seeded and defending world champion. I was coughing all day but it's not an excuse: I was just not good enough. I missed some balls and he played well and kept fighting."
He also added: "It was a good year, but I look forward to not being a world champion again - I don't like all the attention. I've been waiting for the season to end for a few weeks. It's just a game, why should you be happy if you win and sad if you lose?"
Elsewhere on Saturday Judd Trump put himself in control against Hossein Vafaei. Ali Carter also holds a narrow lead over Stephen Maguire. Ronnie O’Sullivan is targeting an eighth world title and will begin his efforts on Wednesday against Jackson Page
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