Luca Brecel edges past teenager Stan Moody, Judd Trump into English Open second round with win over Sean O’Sullivan

World champion Luca Brecel edged past teenager Stan Moody at the English Open in Brentwood, while Judd Trump secured a 4-0 win over Sean O’Sullivan.

The 17-year-old Moody was without a win this season going into his meeting with Brecel.

His tough task was made tougher with Brecel taking the first frame, before countering a solid start to the second from the British teenager to go 2-0 up with a run of 67.

Poor positional shots were proving to be Moody’s downfall, and despite Brecel giving him plenty of opportunities to return to the table, he was unable to stay there for a prolonged period.

However, with Brecel steaming ahead in the third, the Belgian miscued on the black and, this time, Moody seized his opportunity.

He potted yellow along the bottom rail and sunk a green on his way to closing out the frame and getting back in the match.

It proved to be the confidence boost Moody needed as he stepped up to the table to deliver his highest break on tour of 121 to level the tie at 2-2.

A wry smile was on the face of the youngster as he returned to his seat – with Brecel slumping down into his.

As Brecel attempted to regain the upper hand, he potted a red in the middle pocket but as he walked around the table to take his next shot, the white slowly followed it in.

Moody took full advantage; seeing out the frame to move to within one of a huge victory.

Brecel made the early running in frame five to get himself back level, but a missed red to the middle gave Moody the chance to see it out with five reds left on the table.

However, a poor positional shot allowed Brecel to return and force a deciding frame.

Visits to the table were traded regularly in the early stages, with both players failing to take opportunities to take control of the frame.

A nervy climax arrived with Brecel potting the final red to leave him ten points behind Moody, with the match to be settled on who would be able to dispatch which colours.

Both players missed on yellow, before Brecel potted at the second attempt. He proceeded to clear the balls in his way before setting up a double on the pink to seal victory, which he missed.

Moody needed to pot both remaining balls to win, but a double kiss on the pink allowed Brecel to step up and bring a thrilling tie to its conclusion.

Later, Trump concluded his journey into the next round.

Trump and O’Sullivan both arrived at the tournament a little out of sorts after uninspiring form in recent months.

Last time out, Trump crashed out of the British Open in a shock defeat to world No. 113 Hammad Miah, while O’Sullivan was wiped out 4-0 by Ryan Day.

Both players were looking for a confidence boost, and an early run of solid pots saw O’Sullivan ease himself into the match, but a miss on the black proved costly with Trump making a century to take the first frame.

A concession followed in the second frame to give Trump a 2-0 lead after O’Sullivan overcut the pink when he needed a snooker, with the 2020 champion already 61-1 ahead.

The third frame proved tighter, with a bunch of reds grouped together early on leaving the pair conscious not to give away any simple opportunities.

However, both did leave each other multiple chances – which they failed to take. Trump was the first to eventually pounce on a loose opportunity and he proceeded to do just enough to move within one frame of the next round.

And he rounded off the match in solid form with a 68 break helping him secure the whitewash.