World Snooker Championship 2023: ‘Obliterated my thought pattern’ – Amazing Luca Brecel shot leaves Dominic Dale stunned

The pair shared the opening eight-frame session of their clash at the Crucible, with both serving up high-calibre snooker.

With Williams 3-1 to the good, Brecel found himself under a bit of pressure.

The Belgian got back into the frame, but seemed to have no way of getting on the yellow which was welded to the brown.

Dominic Dale in the Eurosport commentary box surveyed the options and came up with a possible scenario.

“If he wants to cannon yellow and brown he would have to take the pink and play it at pace,” Dale said.

Brecel had other ideas, as he took on the black, arced the cue ball into baulk with screw and left-hand side.

The white ball hit the baulk rail and then made its way towards the left-hand cushion where it split yellow and brown and left him perfectly on his target.

“How about this?” said Dale. “There you go. He has completely obliterated my thought pattern with a superb shot.

“That’s fantastic.”

Not done there, Brecel knocked in yellow and green and left himself a tough double on the brown.

There was no thought of refusing, as he played it dead weight to remain on the blue.

Dale was stunned.

“Why play it at that pace?” Dale said. “Wow, that really is putting all your eggs in one basket. What a shot.”

Brecel and Williams will return for session two on Friday morning locked together at 4-4.

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