European Masters snooker: Will Luca Brecel and his new cue replace Ronnie O’Sullivan as world No. 1? – ‘Not expected’

O’Sullivan was scheduled to open his campaign against 1995 World Championship semi-finalist Andy Hicks at the KIA Metropol Arena in Nuremberg on Tuesday night, but his absence has given Brecel the opportunity to land top spot in the rankings for the first time in his career.

A run to the quarter-finals by winning three more matches would secure Brecel at least £11,000 and topple the seven-time world champion from the top of the standings.

“When the draw came out I was panicking a bit. Jackson Page is not the one you want as a starter, he is really tough and a big talent,” he told reporters.

“I had to play really well and I didn’t expect to play this well. I’m really happy with the win.

“I don’t think this cue is ever going to be the same. Normally, the cue doesn’t matter to me, but this one felt so good that it is going to take some time to get used to.

“I guess this is also a good cue and it is never going to be exactly the same, but I think I can get really close to my World Championship level.”

Mark Allen needed to reach the world final in May to become the new world No. 1, but an agonising 17-15 defeat to Selby in the semi-finals at the Crucible denied him the chance of the coveted spot.

The Northern Irishman remains in the hunt this week – he whitewashed Anton Kazakov 5-0 on Tuesday – ahead of his match with Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in the second round, but would need to claim the £80,000 first prize on Sunday night in Germany to move up from third spot in the provisional rankings.

• 1. Ronnie O’Sullivan (Eng) 883,500
• 2. Luca Brecel (Bel) 873,500
• 3. Mark Allen (NI) 837,500
• 4. Judd Trump (Eng) 554,000
• 5. Mark Selby (Eng) 549,500