Luca Brecel’s title defence at the Crucible got off to a rocky start with a pre-match run-in with officials. Some social media spectators noticed Brecel’s absence of a bow tie, sparking questions and comments about it.
Despite the attention on his attire, Brecel started the tournament strong with impressive play, including a century break and a lead against his opponent Gilbert. However, the road to a successful title defence looks challenging with competition from Ronnie O’Sullivan, who is aiming for a record-breaking eighth Crucible crown.