‘I feel fantastic’ – Luca Brecel claims third ranking snooker title with Championship League glory

Luca Brecel finished in style as a classy 100 break saw him claim the third ranking title of his 11-year career with a 3-1 Championship League final against world No. 34 Lu Ning in Leicester.

The Scottish Open champion triumphed at the Morningside Arena five years after he claimed his first with a 10-5 win over Shaun Murphy at the 2017 China Championship.

It was also the second time he claimed the Championship League after his success amid the Covid-19 lockdown two years ago.

Brecel lost 3-1 to Xiao Guodong in his opening Group 2 match, but recovered strongly with 3-0 wins over Lyu Haotian and Zhao Xintong respectively seeing him edge out Zhao – who defeated him in last year’s UK Championship final – on frame difference.

Brecel contributed 93 and 108 against Lyu with an 82 helping him secure the 3-0 victory he needed against Zhao to progress.

Lu was the dominant figure in Group 1 as a 2-2 draw with Ricky Walden was followed by 3-1 wins over Stuart Bingham and Pang Junxu that saw him finish four points clear of Walden.

“I feel fantastic. I played so well for the whole tournament. I felt like I was playing in practice. I really enjoyed it,” said Brecel.

“It’s unbelievable. This is all your can wish for. It’s the best start you can hope for. I can’t wait to play in the next tournament in Germany.”

Lu lost the first frame of the final despite rolling in a break of 67 before restoring parity at 1-1 with a 73.

Brecel punched the air after claiming the title and £26,000 as he moves up to ninth in the provisional world rankings.

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