World Snooker Championship 2023: Luca Brecel whacks white ball off table in frustration, referee catches it

ByBen Snowball

Published 28/04/2023 at 10:05 GMT

Luca Brecel cut a frustrated figure as he abandoned hope of winning the first frame on Friday. The Belgian Bullet accidentally swiped the cue ball into orbit as he conceded the opener to Si Jiahui in their World Championship semi-final, handing the Chinese debutant a 6-3 lead in the best-of-33 encounter. The winner will meet either Mark Selby or Mark Allen in the Crucible final in Sheffield.

Luca Brecel was fortunate to escape a reprimand after swiping the white ball off the table in frustration during his World Championship semi-final with Si Jiahui.

Already trailing 5-3, Brecel was chasing snookers in the first frame of the second session on Friday when he was stitched up by an escape fluke from Si, which saw the cue ball finish in the jaws of the pocket.

With no obvious angle to the green, Brecel tried to swerve up towards the colour but his aim was wayward. As the white bounced back down the table, he took aim with his cue, hitting it aggressively and sending it bouncing off a pocket and off the table.

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Remarkably, referee Rob Spencer emerged into view just moments later, clutching the ball as Si moved 6-3 ahead.

“Luca Brecel showing a little frustration here which belies the pressure he must be feeling,” said Philip Studd on Eurosport commentary.

Brecel, who claimed he "had not practised" for the tournament following his sensational comeback win over Ronnie O'Sullivan, showed great composure to take the next frame.

“The cue ball going off of the table, he didn’t mean that to happen. He was just a little bit frustrated. He’s got to cool that frustration and channel it," added former world champion Joe Johnson.

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‘What has he done there?’ – Watch error-strewn close to session between Si and Brecel

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