Kyren Wilson's 147 has Crucible crowd in awe
- Planet Sport writer
- 19 April 2023
Kyren Wilson's 147 break drove the crowd at the 2023 World Snooker Championship wild.
Kyren Wilson produced the first maximum 147 break of the 2023 World Snooker Championship in his opening-round match against Ryan Day at the Crucible.
Welshman Day, the British Open champion, had moved into an early 2-0 lead with a break of 75.
World number seven Wilson, runner-up at the Crucible in 2020, responded with fine clearances of 133 and 83 to head into the mid-session interval with the match all square at 2-2.
Wilson continued his momentum on returning to the table as he built towards a perfect clearance, sinking a fine final red and black having seemingly run out of position before sweeping up the colours.
It was a 13th maximum at the Crucible and landed Wilson a £40,000 bonus, as well potentially another £15,000 for the tournament's highest break so long as it is not equalled.
Wilson became the ninth player to make a 147 at the Sheffield venue, which was the fourth of his career.
He tweeted: "Absolute honour to make a maxi at the prestigious Crucible Theatre. Stuff dreams are made of! Thank you everyone for your messages!"
A break of 51 helped Wilson continue his recovery to turn the match around at 4-2 before Day got back on the board with a 72 clearance.
Wilson restored his two-frame advantage before another half-century saw him take a 6-3 lead into the concluding evening session.
On Table One, Jack Lisowski fended off a late fightback from Noppon Saengkham to win 10-7 in a match which had been delayed following Monday's 'Just Stop Oil' protest which saw orange powder tipped over the cloth.
Saengkham resumed 6-3 down, but opened up the morning session with fine long red.
However, both players then missed the chance to wrap up what was a scrappy frame - which included three flukes - before Lisowski finally finished off on the colours.
The Thai qualifier then edged the next 68-61 on a respotted black.
Saengkham promptly lifted his cue in the air with both hands to mimick the celebration of Dennis Taylor from his memorable 1985 victory over Steve Davis in a nail-biting last-ball decider.
Lisowski, though, responded with a break of 65 to take the 12th frame and the next to move to the cusp of victory as he headed into the mid-session interval with a lead of 9-4.
Following the restart, a break of 62 saw Saengkham reduce the deficit before also taking the 15th frame and then making a fine 130 clearance to close within two.
World number 12 Lisowski, a quarter-finalist last year, failed to build a match-winning break when set in the 17th frame, but Saengkham could not capitalise.
Some solid safety from Lisowski helped him edge back in front before cutting in a long blue left Saengkham needing snookers and 'Jackpot' Lisowski then finally booked his place in the last 16 by potting the pink.
