Big hitters Judd Trump and Ali Carter will also be in action, facing off against Hossein Vafaei and Stephen Maguire respectively. Ronnie O’Sullivan, who isn’t playing his first-round match until next week, will no doubt be keeping a keen eye on the contests with Brecel, Trump and Carter all fancied as serious contenders.
Last year’s champion Brecel is first in action at 10am with Zhang Anda v Jak Jones also playing the morning session. The Belgian Bullet hasn’t enjoyed the best of 12 months since his dazzling win in Sheffield and his cause hasn’t been helped by the fact he’s arrived at The Crucible feeling under the weather.
“I’ve lost my voice a couple of times and I’ve had headaches, a bit like Covid,” said Brecel. “It’s been coming and going ever since the tournament in Saudi (in March), but it’s too big not to play in this one. I’m up against a very good player and Dave is probably the favourite to beat me, so it’s a nice challenge.”
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