Luca Brecel defies illness to find form as World Championship title defence begins
The IndependentSign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Defending champion Luca Brecel looked set to defy expectations after building a 6-3 lead over qualifier David Gilbert in the opening session of World Championship first round match at the Crucible. Judd Trump rode his luck to establish a 6-3 overnight lead over Hossein Vafaei at the end of the first session of their World Snooker Championship first round clash at the Crucible. Third seed Trump looked sharp and focused against the dangerous Iranian qualifier, but Vafaei was left to rue a series of missed opportunities ahead of their resumption on Sunday afternoon. Vafaei, who lost a second-round grudge match to Ronnie O’Sullivan last year with a session to spare, got in first in each of the first two frames but failed to capitalise on his chances and Trump delivered breaks of 63 and 66 to seize the initiative.
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Judd Trump on top against wasteful Hossein Vafaei at World Snooker Championship
The Independent
Luca Brecel battling illness as he plots World Snooker Championship defence
The Independent
Ronnie O’Sullivan and Luca Brecel face tricky opening matches at World Snooker Championship
The Independent
Jack Lisowski beats Luca Brecel to reach Masters quarter-finals
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Shunning practice to get drunk: Luca Brecel’s very unlikely route to snooker’s biggest prize
The Independent
Luca Brecel stunned to pull off greatest-ever World Championship comeback - ‘I was shaking’
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Mark Selby to face Jamie Jones in first round of World Snooker Championship
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