Defending world champion Luca Brecel suffered a shock first-round exit at the World Snooker Championship on Saturday, losing 9-10 to world number 31 David Gilbert at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
The Belgian had led 6-3 after the first session, but Gilbert mounted a stunning comeback, sealing victory with a match-winning break of 65. The defeat extends the so-called 'Crucible curse' — no first-time winner has ever retained the title since the tournament moved to Sheffield in 1977.
Gilbert will now face either Robert Milkins or Pang Junxu in the second round.
Meanwhile, Judd Trump made an impressive start to his campaign, moving 6-3 ahead against Iran's Hossein Vafaei. Trump, who has won five tournaments this season, is seeking his second world title. He won the first frame with a break of 63 and added clearances of 66 and 72. Vafaei responded with a superb 138, but Trump edged further ahead with a 77 before Vafaei took the final frame of the session with a 74.
In other matches, two-time runner-up Ali Carter leads Stephen Maguire 5-4, while Jak Jones is 5-2 ahead against Zhang Anda.
Off the table, discussions continue over the future of the Crucible Theatre as the tournament venue, with its current contract set to expire in 2027.
