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Kyren Wilson Faces Early Exit in World Snooker Championship; Defending Champion Beaten 10-9 by Lei Peifan
Last Updated: 19/04/25 11:52pm
Defending champion Kyren Wilson has exited the World Snooker Championship earlier than expected.
In a surprising turn of events, Kyren Wilson’s title defense concluded on the inaugural day of the 2025 World Snooker Championship when he was narrowly defeated by China’s Lei Peifan.
Wilson started strong, finishing the first session with a 6-3 advantage. However, the second session saw Lei mounting a comeback, winning six consecutive frames and putting himself in a commanding position. Wilson later rallied to force a deciding frame, but Lei maintained his composure to secure a 10-9 victory.
This defeat perpetuates what snooker fans have dubbed the ‘Crucible curse’; no first-time world champion has managed to defend their title since the tournament’s relocation to Sheffield in 1977.
Lei Peifan will advance to the second round, capitalizing on a crucial win against the established favorite. Wilson entered the championship as a leading contender after a successful season that included victories in four ranking events, outpacing his competitors.
At 33 years old, Wilson joins an unfortunate list of six first-time champions, including Steve Davis, Dennis Taylor, Graeme Dott, Neil Robertson, and Luca Brecel, who have fallen in the first round during their title defense.
“It’s difficult to accept,” Wilson remarked following the match. “I have a strong track record at the Crucible, and I know I wasn’t at my best, yet it took a close match for me to be eliminated.”
He reflected on the long season, stating, “I’ve never faced such pressure before. I’m proud of how I’ve managed the challenges and the successes I’ve achieved along the way.”
Commenting further on the so-called ‘curse,’ Wilson acknowledged the narrative surrounding it. “It’s become something of a myth, especially since other players have successfully defended their titles. I believe it will eventually be broken, but sadly, it won’t be me this time.”
Source
www.skysports.com