World Championship LIVE – Defending champion Brecel leads Gilbert in opener

A blistering break of 115 from Dave, the third century of a free-flowing session of snooker with both men showing their class. A huge final frame of the first session coming up. Is it going to be 5-4 or 6-3 before they resume at 7pm tonight? Can’t remember much safety being played. A fine way to start the 48th World Championship.

This has been an excellent response by Dave to remain in touch in this contest. Has been on the backfoot, but moves quickly to 50. Brecel left a red with an error, and Dave has stepped in with some real intent.

Not exactly speeding along on the other table. Head for the mid-session with Jak holding a 3-1 advantage. Five more frames to come in that session.

Another wonderful opening red by Luca from distance. Just stroked that home with stun to hold for black. Tricky red down the table to yellow pocket rattles the jaws of the pocket. Doesn’t drop, but no damage done.

Brilliant shot from Brecel on blue to come in out and out of baulk to land on the next red. What a superb piece of positional play. And that is going to be the platform for another frame. A 5-2 lead with a knock of 40.

A really scrappy affair in the seventh frame with both men missing balls that you expect to see drop. But Dave then sees a green stay out to the yellow pocket. A shake of the head from Gilbert, who can’t really afford to be missing these chances.

Lowest break of the six frames is 70. This match is all about attacking and scoring. Very good to watch. A brilliant break of 104 this time by Brecel, his second of the match, for a 4-2 lead in the race to 10. Three more frames remaining of the first session.

Delightful play by Luca, whose average shot time is only 16 seconds. That missed red by Dave using top spin into the pack is going to prove so costly.

Dave handed another chance to get hand on table in this sixth frame, but breaks down quickly among reds. And he has opened up the pack too. Which spells bad news. Luca looking very interested as he nudges in a tough pink to green bag amid a trademark flurry of pots. Speeds to 39. Looks a very good chance to regain his two-frame lead.

Dave had a dart at getting four snookers, but never really likely on the final red. The 73 break from Brecel sees him get his nose in front by the odd frame in five.

Dave back out from the tea break, leaves a long red and Luca has punished him. Got top side of the baulk line. But out of position on 69. Recovers situation with an excellent cut on red before green slides home to left centre. Misses a red with a rest, but this frame looks all over.

Boys back out then for another five frames, and Luca looking to get back on a roll after losing momentum. Drops in a long red before producing some fine cueing to hammer in a stunned red. Really is a joy to watch when he is in the mood. Races to 42. Looking very decent here among the balls.

Jak Jones with a break of 55 in the second frame to establish a 2-0 lead.

Some heavy scoring play from both men so far. 77 from the Tamworth man is good enough to level us up. He’ll be feeling better about his cuppa at the break.

Well, this would be a real result for Dave if he can get out of this mini session at 2-2. Was hit with a few heavy bombs by Brecel in the opening two frames, but suspect Luca has missed a trick here as his opponent closes in on restoring parity at 2-2.

Well, both men throwing their cues at couple of efforts. Dave has a go at a red from distance that doesn’t drop before Luca splatters the reds after trying and failing to force in a red, but somehow doesn’t leave an easy starter. Dave then sees a white fly in a top pocket, but Brecel can’t nudge in a tough red to left middle. And he has stuck up the red for Dave.

Looks like Gilbert is going to steady the ship with a winning counter punch in this frame. Brecel had his chances, didn’t take them and Dave is going to register in this match. A break of 70 from Gilbert, who closes to 2-1 behind.

Dave being handed a few chances to make his presence felt after Luca is miles off a long red. But just failing to really settle down as Brecel quickly returns to the table. 16 this time as Luca misses a red to left centre. So a third chance of the frame for the man dubbed ‘The Angry Farmer’. Can he secure his first frame of the day?

91 and 134 from Brecel in the first two frames and he is on the move again in the third frame. Dave yet to really settle out there. Hasn’t had a chance. And leaves Luca an easy starter. But he can only make 24 before he butchers a safety shot. Hit a middle jaw running back down the table to baulk, and Dave has his first real chance of this match.

And in goes the century from Luca, who is right on it out there. Brilliant double on yellow to keep the break going. And a 134 total clearance from Brecel is impeccable. Dave yet to pot a ball in this match.

Brecel continuing his march towards another quick kill in the second frame. Early chance of a maximum, but forced to take a pink to right centre to quell those prospects. Still, this is very, very bright indeed from Luca. Drops in a wonderful red to left middle. Into a blind pocket. Very impressive. Should be a 2-0 lead on the cards.

Looks like Brecel has never been away from this venue. First to the punch in the second frame, and picking up from where he left off last year. Just striking the cue ball with real sense of authority.

This has been a blistering start by Brecel. Could be a century straight off the bat here. 91 break, but a tough blue doesn’t drop. No matter. Exceptional level of play from Luca, who leads 1-0.

Dave very unfortunate to see the green fly in potting a red, but Brecel is not hanging about as he opens up the reds via the green seconds later. Brilliant shot by the Belgian player, who then smashes open more reds off a red with the rest. What a shot that is. Nothing difficult on this table now.

Out comes the leading four men for this morning’s action. Luca bouncing down the old stairs. Gilbert with an early error to leave a red over a left hand middle bag. Chance then for Luca to get hand on table. But only makes six before a tough red to centre stays out. A settling in period. Nine frames to be play in this first session.

A reminder of the moment Luca Brecel became Belgium’s first world champion a year ago.

A huge day ahead as the 48th World Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield gets moving at 10am with world champion Luca Brecel taking on David Gilbert, a semi-finalist at the fabled venue back in 2019. International champion Zhang Anda faces 2023 quarter-finalist Jak Jones on the other main table this morning. Boys on baize imminently.

10:00 (UK time)

• Luca Brecel v David Gilbert
• Zhang Anda v Jak Jones

• Ali Carter v Stephen Maguire
• Judd Trump v Hossein Vafaei

• Tom Ford v Ricky Walden
• Luca Brecel v David Gilbert