Luca Brecel has recorded a sensational 17-15 victory over Si Jiahui to reach the World Snooker Championship final, pulling off the greatest comeback in the history of the tournament.
After 19 frames, the Belgian found himself 14-5 adrift to the world number 80, who was on the cusp of achieving one of the great feats in the history of the sport.
However, the 20-year-old debutant's lack of experience and gruelling effort earlier in the week proved decisive as Brecel dominated the second half of the contest.
Resuming 14-10 behind on Saturday afternoon, Brecel won the opening four frames to get back on level terms, compiling breaks of 70 and 81 in the process.
A match that will go down in Crucible history.
— World Snooker Tour (@WeAreWST) April 29, 2023
Luca Brecel becomes the first player from mainland Europe to reach a world final 🇧🇪#CazooWorldChampionship pic.twitter.com/TzxIMfmHju
A further effort of 73 put the ninth seed on the brink of the most famous of fightbacks, yet Si showed his class with a momentum-halting break of 91 to get back to 16-15.
The 32nd frame, naturally, was a tense affair, both players having opportunities to take it before Brecel sealed victory by a 61-40 margin, his relief pouring out as he earned a place in a Crucible final.
Brecel will face either Mark Selby or Mark Allen in the showpiece match, Selby currently leading that encounter 11-10 ahead of it being played to a conclusion on Saturday evening.
