World champion Luca Brecel makes vow to fans in chase for No. 1 spot – 'I have a responsibility to snooker'
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ByEurosport
Published 25/08/2023 at 08:12 GMT
World champion Luca Brecel admits it is "exciting times" as he closes in on becoming the sport's world No. 1 for the first time in his career at the European Masters in Nuremberg. The man dubbed 'The Belgian Bullet' hit his 200th career century in the final frame of a nervy 5-4 win over Robbie Williams in the last 32 on Thursday after trailing 3-0. He faces Barry Hawkins in the last 16 on Friday.
Brecel wraps up win over Williams at European Masters with a century break
Luca Brecel is two wins away from becoming the new world No. 1 at the European Masters in Nuremberg – and has vowed to use his world champion status to inspire his quest for top spot.
Brecel hit back from trailing former British Open semi-finalist Robbie Williams 3-0 in the last 32 on Thursday to complete a 5-4 victory that saw him compile a 134 break in the deciding frame, his 200th career century in 12 years.
The Belgian will replace absent snooker GOAT Ronnie O'Sullivan at the top of the standings if he can overcome 2013 world finalist Barry Hawkins in the last 16 and Noppon Saengkham or Jimmy Robertson in the quarter-finals on Friday (live on Eurosport and discovery+).
Playing with a new cue in Germany, Brecel admits he is happy to accept the extra demands of being the world champion to improve his focus on the table.
“At 3-0 down, I wasn’t in the game and he was playing really well. I think I had to take my chance in the frame before the interval. At 4-0 down, there is probably no chance. I’m really proud of myself to keep fighting,” he told reporters.
“There have been world champions that have struggled in the past, but I kind of like it. Always being on table one focuses me. Maybe on a different table at 3-0 down I would have given up easier.
"Now I am a world champion, I have a responsibility to the crowd and snooker in general."
The 28-year-old Brecel occupies the world No. 2 spot after his landmark 18-15 victory over Mark Selby at the Crucible in May saw him become his country's first world champion, but top spot in the sport would round off a remarkable few months for the former Scottish Open winner.
“I have a good chance now. I’m only two games away and there is a lot to play for," he said.
"It is something new for me to play for so much. The World Championship and now the world No. 1 spot. It’s exciting times.”
Friday's order of play
Last 16
10am
- Lyu Haotian v David Gilbert
- Ashley Hugill v Mark Selby
- Noppon Saengkham v Jimmy Robertson
- Barry Hawkins v Luca Brecel
Quarter-finals
2:30pm
- Kyren Wilson v John Higgins
- Judd Trump v Ashley Carty
7pm
- Lyu Haotian/Gilbert v Hugill/Selby
- Saengkham/Robertson v Hawkins/Brecel
- - -
Stream the European Masters and other top snooker action live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com
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