Luca Brecel feels his form is 'coming' after dazzling win over Chris Wakelin to set up Kyren Wilson clash

Luca Brecel was at his entertaining best to oust Masters debutant Chris Wakelin at Alexandra Palace to set up a quarter-final against Kyren Wilson. It will be a battle between the 2023 and 2024 world champions, and the Belgian Bullet produced some stunning potting in his first-round clash, but was perhaps flattered by the 6-3 scoreline with Wakelin more than competitive on his Ally Pally bow.

'What about that!' - Brecel sinks outrageous pink before equally impressive high-pressure black

Video credit: TNT Sports

Luca Brecel dazzled at Alexandra Palace with inspired ball-striking to oust debutant Chris Wakelin with a 6-3 victory and set up a Masters quarter-final with world champion Kyren Wilson.

The Belgian Bullet displayed his renowned eccentric potting skills with various stunning strikes to ensure he put his Masters woes behind him, after crashing out in the first round of last year's January showpiece.

Asked about his impressive potting display after the match, Brecel said: "That's what happens when you keep getting out of position. [There are] things to work on, but happy with the win.

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"It is very special [playing in the Masters]. It is more nerve-wracking than the World Championship to be honest. So very happy to still be in it.

"I'm enjoying it very much. I need to play a bit better to have a chance here, but I can only get better now. It [form] is coming, I don't know when, but it's coming."

The match exploded into competitive action, but Brecel grabbed the go-ahead frame after the pair were locked on colours with just four remaining.

'Absolutely amazing' - Pure 'audacity' from Brecel as he finds position off stunning brown

Video credit: TNT Sports

The 2023 world champion spectacularly sunk a brown along the baulk cushion to find position on blue - which turned out to be frame ball - and rattled it home with aplomb, a move which left Ronnie O'Sullivan in the Eurosport studio gushing.

Wakelin, though, responded well. He levelled the affair after falling just short of a century with a spurned black.

The Englishman went on to build a healthy 40-1 lead in the third frame, but Brecel roared back as it went all the way to the pink.

And the Belgian again wowed the Ally Pally crowd to sink the penultimate colour in emphatic style, before sinking the high-pressure black in an equally impressive manner.

'What about that!' - Brecel sinks outrageous pink before equally impressive high-pressure black

Video credit: TNT Sports

Brecel ensured he would go into the interval with a two-frame cushion, as he put together a stylish 89 break to move halfway towards a quarter-final spot.

Wakelin refused to be ruled out of the tie and again cut Brecel's lead, before the 29-year-old again put daylight between the pair in a frame which saw them trade poor safety shots - the Belgian eventually able to capitalise.

The Englishman again pegged Brecel back following a mammoth seventh frame where both scored highly, despite a period of over 10 minutes with no balls potted, the 2023 shoot-out champion holding his nerve and forcing his counterpart into needing a snooker.

Evans produces stellar attempt at Brecel's audacious first-frame brown

Video credit: TNT Sports

The frames were notably longer following the break, and Brecel claimed the subsequent marathon to go within one of victory.

The pair were locked at 58-52 in another tight battle, but it was one which the Belgian dispatched with style and panache, firing home a fantastic long blue before rocketing in the decisive pink.

And The Bullet confirmed victory in a tenth frame, which was ultimately decided by a desperately unfortunate foul by Wakelin, as he slipped from the rest to gift Brecel an opportunity for a match-winning run, which the 29-year-old duly provided.

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