World Snooker Championship 2023: Si Jiahui continues to show off attacking prowess against Luca Brecel in semi-final
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Updated 29/04/2023 at 12:46 GMT
Si Jiahui showcased his attacking play at the Crucible, as he comfortably kept his lead in the second session of his World Championship semi-final with Luca Brecel. Si will go into the third and final session of the clash with a six-frame advantage, extending his lead to 11-5. Si never seemed to falter and tested Brecel's defensive skills as the Belgian could never find his rhythm.
Brecel swipes white ball off table in frustration
Si Jiahui continued his fine form at the Crucible, taking a six-frame advantage against Luca Brecel in the second session of their World Championship semi-final.
The first session saw Si take a 5-3 lead, with both players showing off their attacking play. That continued in the second session, with the first frame of the day starting off with Si knocking in 52 on his first visit to the table.
Brecel was forced to then chase snookers and after an escape fluke from Si which saw the cue ball finish in the jaws of the pocket, the Belgian attempted to swerve towards a colour.
His aim was off, though, and when the white bounced with Brecel striking it hard, it bounced off a pocket and off the table, with the crowd gasping in shock as Si went up 6-3.
Si could not capitalise on his opponent's outburst right away, and a sloppy start to the second frame meant that Brecel scored 65 points.
There was a brief moment of panic for him as it looked like Si would pull off a steal, but his weak safety let him down, allowing the Belgian to make it 6-4.
The 20-year-old then proceeded to take the next two frames to lead 8-4, showing off with a third century of the match, which included a fantastic long pot to the green pocket in the third frame and a break of 89 in the fourth.
After the interval, Si continued his dominance, and despite retreating to baulk via the yellow in a break of 58, Brecel couldn't take advantage, leading him to clean up with a red to go up 9-4.
The tides seemed to turn after Si somehow missed an easy blue to the middle right, allowing Brecel some time at the table to pot two reds and clear up to the black, with the Belgian briefly cutting the lead to four.
A break of 55 saw the Chinese back on track for the next frame, much to the disappointment of Brecel, who throughout the session wasn't afforded the time by his opponent to get into a good rhythm.
It was more of the same in the final frame of the session as, following a break of 71 from the 20-year-old, Brecel couldn't manage to do enough damage before Si finished him off, taking the 11-5 advantage into the evening session on Friday.
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‘A miracle in itself’ – White assesses Si’s run to Crucible semi-finals
The third session will take place at 19:00 UK time, and the winner will meet either four-time world champion Mark Selby or Mark Allen in the Crucible final in Sheffield.
Si could become the youngest-ever Crucible finalist should he advance as a debutant.
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