Maguire ends teenage belgian's dream

Record-breaking teenager Luca Brecel's maiden World Championship ended in defeat by Scotland's Stephen Maguire at the Crucible Theatre on Monday.

At 17 years and 45 days, the rising Belgian star became the youngest player in the history of the tournament, but, despite making a century in Sunday's first session, he lost 10-5 to world No 7 and former semi-finalist Maguire.

Meanwhile, experienced Hong Kong potter Marco Fu was in danger of suffering a humiliating first-round whitewash against Matthew Stevens after falling 8-0 behind to the Welshman, twice a World Championship runner-up.

Fu avoided that fate but Stevens converted an 8-1 lead at the end of the first session into a 10-3 victory.

Wales' Jamie Jones caused the biggest shock of the tournament so far, the 24-year-old marking his Crucible debut with a 10-8 win over 2005 world champion Shaun Murphy.

"I've never felt any pressure like it in my life," said Jones. "I've never known an occasion like it."

Jones celebrated victory prematurely and excitedly, both frowned upon by snooker traditionalists, in what turned out to be the final frame.

"The red went in, I jumped up and almost hit the ceiling, and gave it the fist. Then I potted the brown and went in-off, and I thought, 'Oh my god, there can't be another twist'," Jones said.

"Then I had a chance on a red and as soon as I potted that and made sure of the blue I knew it was over then."

AFP