Luca Brecel targets ‘some time off’ after suffering shock first-round exit from World Chanpionship snooker

ByOli Gent

Updated 21/04/2024 at 07:19 GMT

Luca Brecel has said "snooker is second place" after suffering his first-round defeat to David Gilbert at the World Championship at the Crucible. Brecel, the top seed and defending champion in Sheffield, was knocked out in the opening round by an inspired Englishman, who won the final four frames to complete a spectacular comeback victory and advance into the second round.

Defeated world champion Luca Brecel said that he felt “really tired” and "snooker is second place" following his World Championship defeat to David Gilbert at the Crucible.

The Belgian went down 10-9 to the Englishman in the opening round in Sheffield, with Gilbert winning the final four frames on the bounce to sneak a tight victory.

Brecel had been struggling with illness in the lead up to the season finale in Yorkshire, and he was hampered once more by his bug in the first round, but defied his fatigue to put himself up as the players retreated to the dressing room.

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However, Gilbert emerged rejuvenated, and won the final four frames to complete a marvellous comeback victory and advance into the next round.

“It was not easy being ill, but I tried,” Brecel told Eurosport afterwards.

“Dave played well. He’s a fantastic player, and he deserves it. I hope he wins it. I never really settled; I never really felt good. I played some good stuff in batches, but I was really tired in the last session.

• ‘Flew in like a Belgian bullet’ - Brecel seals 13th frame with outrageous fluke

“It was difficult but I tried. I don’t think I could try any harder but it’s not an excuse. Everyone gets ill sometimes. It was a great match.”

Gilbert, the 31st seed, toppled Brecel, the top seed, and he will face either his compatriot Robert Milkins, the 16th seed, or Pang Junxu, the Chinese 27th seed, in the last 16.

Brecel confirmed that he needed some time off at the end of what has been a long season for the Belgian, who finishes the year fourth in the world rankings - at least for now.

‘Shot of the day’ - Brecel crunches in glorious long red against Gilbert

When asked what the summer holds for him, Brecel replied: "Work on my fitness most of all, trying to get back in shape. For me, that’s the most important thing at the moment.

"Snooker is second place so I hope I get at least stronger for next season but first, I need some time off."

It has been a mixed year for Brecel, who won the World Mixed Doubles with Reanne Evans, but in his one singles final, he lost at the World Masters of Snooker to Ronnie O'Sullivan.

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