UK Snooker Championship 2021: Luca Brecel beats Kyren Wilson to reach final

2 years ago 40

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Venue: York Barbican Dates: 23 November - 5 December Coverage: BBC One, BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Red Button, BBC Sport website and app
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Luca Brecel overcame Kyren Wilson with a barrage of brutal scoring, including four centuries, to triumph 6-4 and reach his first UK Championship final.

A sparkling opening saw Brecel make two centuries and Wilson one of his own, with the Englishman compiling a counter-attacking 69 to level at 2-2.

Another ton and two further half centuries put the Belgian 5-4 ahead, closing out the match with a cool 112.

Brecel will face Barry Hawkins or China's Zhao Xintong in Sunday's final.

Brilliant Brecel comes of age

World number 40 Brecel was tipped to have a bright a future in the sport when he became the youngest player to appear at the World Championship in 2012 aged just 17.

He struggled to kick on thereafter, winning his maiden and only ranking title to date at the 2017 China Championship but now aged 26 he looks to have finally come of age, becoming the first player from mainland Europe to reach a Triple Crown event final.

Nicknamed the 'Belgian Bullet', Brecel's savage scoring prowess proved too much for Wilson, putting together four centuries and three further breaks of 50 or more.

After a flawless first three frames in which Brecel made 130 and 105 in between Wilson's 121, the fourth frame proved crucial as Brecel broke down on 59 allowing his opponent to respond with a 69 clearance.

The world number five sneaked in front but Brecel's 97 and 80 took him one frame from victory and although Wilson's 83 kept the match alive, another sublime century put Brecel through.

Wilson said: "Without doubt the better man won on the day and he was scoring phenomenally. To do that under the upmost pressure is very impressive."

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