'That's the Crucible!' - Odd moment Kyren Wilson's cue hits advertising board in opening match at World Snooker Championship
Published 19/04/2025 at 13:34 GMT+1
Kyren Wilson is hoping to retain his World Snooker Championship title and become the first man to do so since the tournament moved to the Crucible. The first step on that journey will be beating Lei Peifan, and the reigning champion found himself coming up against a rather comical moment that had him and the audience laughing. Watch the World Snooker Championship on TNT Sports and discovery+.
'That's the Crucible, Kyren' - Shake of the head as Wilson struggles for space to shoot
Video credit: TNT Sports
An odd moment occurred at the World Snooker Championship in Kyren Wilson's match with Lei Peifan, where the former struggled to make a shot as his cue kept hitting the advertising board.
The lack of space around the table in Sheffield almost hindered the world champion moments in the eighth frame against Lei.
Having just made his first century of the match, and his 61st of the season, he set his sights on the black.
Except as he lined up the shot, he felt his cue hitting the partition that separated him from the front row spectators.
Luckily for Wilson, an eventual break of 136 ensured the frame was his, and the 33-year-old was able to laugh about the moment with the front row of spectators.
Despite the comical moment and the tiny amount of space he had to work with, Wilson potted the black with ease en route to his 136.
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Wilson caps off 136 clearance with cheeky no-look black to take comfortable lead
Video credit: TNT Sports
The Crucible uses a two-table set-up in the early rounds, only reverting to a single table in the semi-finals.
The cramped setting produces a unique and beloved atmosphere, but at the same time can be constricting to players as space is tight.
Several players have previously complained about the confined nature of the venue, including Ronnie O'Sullivan, who last year called the two-table situation "a nightmare."
Reigning champion Wilson is hoping to break the long-standing "Crucible curse", where no first-time winner of the title has managed to retain it since the tournament moved to Sheffield's Crucible Theatre in 1977.
Wilson, however, has maintained good form since his victory, winning four ranking events this season and making it to the finals of the Masters and Championship League.
Should he beat Lei on Saturday, he will face either Jak Jones in a replay of last year's final, or Zhao Xintong.
You can watch every day of the 2025 World Championship live on TV on TNT Sports, with all the action also available both live and on-demand on discovery+.
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