'This used to be a tough game' - Dennis Taylor staggered by snooker star making World Championship look easy
Luca Brecel is fast-becoming snooker's man for the major occasions.
The Belgian Bullet has struggled for form since a shock World Championship win two years ago, but has looked back to his best this year at the Crucible - with a stunning comeback in the second session of his match against world No.1 Judd Trump leaving 1985 world champ Taylor staggered.
Speaking about the mercurial brilliance of Brecel, who has been jetting in from his homeland for matches, Taylor said: "This used to be a tough game, but Luca Brecel is making it look so easy at the moment.. What entertainment this is.
"In a matter of half an hour the Belgian Bullet has got himself all square with the world No.1."
Glowing praise also came from 1997 world champion Ken Doherty, who said: "He's wonderful to watch. He's so entertaining and you can see the smiles on the faces in the crowd.
"They are right beside him and watching him go round making the game look so easy. It's like an exhibition he's putting on.
"He's a precocious talent and he's shown exactly what he can do. And exactly what he did when he won this championship.
"He's done it with such aplomb and some of the shots he is playing are just incredible. You can almost here the crowd gasping.
"When you consider the season that Luca has had and the season that Judd Trump has had you'd never have given him a hope.
"He's such an inspirational player and he plays on his instincts. If his instincts are good that's why he can just roll off frame after frame after frame.
"The fear factor against Judd Trump is not there and he's playing like there is no extra pressure."
John Parrott added: "He seems to play with a freedom that most people found hard to do. I know he's been training for the iron man, so he's coming here fitter than he's probably ever been.
"But the other thing he's not had a great season; he's had seven century breaks in the entire season coming into this. So this is probably the most snooker he's played in a long time.
"He's probably playing himself into serious form. And he's fitter. That can only be a good thing going forward in this championship, because he looks absolutely razor sharp.
"He's had five centuries already in this tournament. He's played right into form."
Laidback Brecel meanwhile said pre-tournament that he wasn't fussed about winning a second world title, and just wanted to enjoy himself - whilst putting on a show for the fans.
The 30-year-old told Midnite: "I just don't really think a lot about winning tournaments and stuff like that. I just like playing the game. I'm more of a Ronaldinho type of player in snooker.
"It's all about just entertaining and fun and also having a nice life around it, that's more important to me. So yeah, no pressure.
"I've not really thought about the possibility of winning a second world title. I'm not that interested in it. If it happens it happens, but if it doesn't, then it's all good."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Seattle Sounders vs PSG – Club World Cup boosts: Kvaratskhelia, Doué & Ramos all 2+ shots on target NOW 15/2 at Midnite
THE equation tonight for PSG in the Club World Cup is simple - win and they're through. Midnite have a handful of top price boosts for the big game against Seattle Sounders and we've picked out our favourite. Seattle Sounders vs PSG offers European champions, PSG were stunned by in-form Botafogo a few days ago and need to bounce back to seal their spot in the next round. The Parisians have a frightening array of attacking talent and you'd assume - given their odds of 1/7 to win tonight - that they'd all fancy their chances of making their mark in a game like this. As mentioned, they team up in our selection of Midnite's top price boosts for tonight's game. You can get Kvaratskhelia, Doué & Ramos all 2+ shots on target each at 15/2 - up from 13/2! Here's the list of price boosts on offer for tonight: Midnite new customer offer Want to join Midnite? Well here's how you can... Simply download Midnite's app or create an account online using the Promo Code: BETGETSPORTS Once that's done, deposit a minimum of £10 and stake a pre-match bet of £10 and a minimum of 4 legs, at minimum total odds of 3/1. Once that's settled - win or lose - you will receive £20 in free bets. You will also receive 50 free spins to spend on Big Bass Splash (valued at 10p per spin). Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Atletico Madrid vs Botafogo – Club World Cup boosts: Julian Alvarez & Antoine Griezmann 2+ shots on target each NOW 11/2
ATLETICO MADRID are at risk of being dumped OUT of the Club World Cup and need to beat Botafogo tonight. Midnite have a handful of top price boosts for the big game later and we've picked out our favourite one here. Midnite new customer offer Atletico Madrid vs Botafogo offers Atletico need a big win tonight - and even then it might not be enough. Botafogo stunned European champions PSG last time out leaving them on six points at the top and Atletico now have to beat them comfortably or hope PSG slip up and don't beat Seattle Sounders. As mentioned, Midnite have a bunch of top price boosts for tonight's game, gearing towards Atletico tonight, with our favourite being: You can get Julian Alvarez & Antoine Griezmann Both To Have 2+ Shots On Target Each at 11/2 - up from 9/2! Here's the list of price boosts on offer for tonight: Midnite new customer offer Want to join Midnite? Well here's how you can... Simply download Midnite's app or create an account online using the Promo Code: BETGETSPORTS Once that's done, deposit a minimum of £10 and stake a pre-match bet of £10 and a minimum of 4 legs, at minimum total odds of 3/1. Once that's settled - win or lose - you will receive £20 in free bets. You will also receive 50 free spins to spend on Big Bass Splash (valued at 10p per spin). Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Benfica vs Bayern Munich: Get Harry Kane to score at 6/4, plus £20 free bets and 50 free spins
HARRY KANE will look to take centre-stage when Bayern Munich clash with Benfica in Tuesday's Club World Cup blockbuster showdown. And bookmakers Midnite are celebrating the encounter with a handful of spectacular price boosts - including talisman Harry Kane to score anytime at 6/4! Benfica vs Bayern Munich offers Bayern Munich have already secured safe passage to the last 16 having beaten both Auckland City and Boca Juniors. The Bundesliga champions have netted a tournament-high 12 goals and conceded just once in 180 minutes - and will want to progress with a perfect record and top Group C. Kane didn't manage to get on the scoresheet during the 10-0 rout of Auckland City - but he did open the scoring and provide an assist against Boca last time out. A bumper scoreline could be on the cards if history is anything to go by - Bayern have scored 15 goals in their last four games against their Portuguese opponents. Here's the list of price boosts on offer for Benfica vs Bayern Munich; Midnite new customer offer Want to join Midnite? Well here's how you can... Simply download Midnite's app or create an account online using the Promo Code: BETGETSPORTS Once that's done, deposit a minimum of £10 and stake a pre-match bet of £10 and a minimum of 4 legs, at minimum total odds of 3/1. Once that's settled - win or lose - you will receive £20 in free bets. You will also receive 50 free spins to spend on Big Bass Splash (valued at 10p per spin). Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
