© PA
Snooker
Yushan –
Luca Brecel opened the World Open in Yushan, China, on Monday morning with heavy artillery. The world champion beat the Thai Phetmalaikul 5-1 via breaks of 131, 100 and 94.
The World Open will probably be Luca Brecel’s last official test before the World Cup, where he will kick off on April 20. Only if Brecel wins this tournament on Sunday will he still join the best eight players of the current season, who will play the Tour Championship from April 1.
In Yushan, Brecel did not play flawlessly, but he did make some serious plays between the balls. After a difficult first frame, the 29-year-old Maaslander potted a total clearance of 131. He immediately added a second century (100). The 24-year-old Thai neo-pro Manasawin Phetmalaikul (WR 123) was able to counter with a 56 break (3-1) before the break, but then had to capitulate. Brecel finished the job after just 100 minutes with breaks of 41 and 94 in frame six (5-1).
“I feel very good,” laughed Brecel after his victory. “I feel like I have a better chance this year than last year. Which is funny because I played really well then, but in my head I’m stronger than last year. Of course you never know, I might as well go out on the first lap. But I’m giving myself a good chance to break the ‘Crucible curse’ (a new world champion has never been able to immediately extend his title in Sheffield, ed.). I’m hungrier than ever in my career. I’ve always had a problem with motivation, but it hasn’t bothered me in recent weeks. That’s not going to go away either as I don’t want to make the same mistakes I made earlier in my career. I learned a lot this year.”
On Tuesday morning (7.30 am Belgian time), the world champion will meet world number 95 with Englishman Oliver Brown in the second round. (mg)