World Snooker Championship: Round One Shocks

• Odds upset in Round One
• Crucible Curse continues as Brecel exits
• Four-time winner Selby also bows out

Defending champion Brecel exits in first round

Defending Champion Luca Brecel has crashed out of this year’s World Snooker Championship after losing 10-9 to David Gilbert at the Crucible. His elimination sees the continuation of the “Crucible Curse” where no first-time winner of the world title has retained the championship the following year at the venue.

Brecel led 9-6 and missed two guilt edged chances to seal victory on an opening day of high drama. The Belgian saw off a trio of former World Champions on his run to victory in Sheffield last year. After his loss Brecel highlighted some of the negative aspects of being world champion, citing the increased exposure and pressure.

Brecel spurned match-winning opportunities in both the 16th and 18th frames and Gilbert, 42, hung in to claim victory. Though he admitted afterwards he had led a charmed life, with Brecel 8-5 and 9-6 up at various stages.

Selby crashes out

Former world champion Mark Selby also lost in the first round, with Joe ‘Connor, making his Crucible debut, triumphing 10-6 in the first round against Crucible debutant Joe O’Connor.

O’Connor, ranked 30th in the world, was 7-2 ahead  after Sunday’s opening session. However, on Monday breaks of 112 and 91 helped Selby to claim three of the first four frames on Monday, suggesting that the four-time world champion was about to take the match by the scruff of the neck. However, O’Connor took the 14th frame with a 57 break and held his nerve to claim victory in frame 16.

World Snooker Championship: Odds

After the exits of Brecel and Selby the tournament odds are as follows:

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