Reanne Evans and Luca Brecel secured an important 3-1 win over Judd Trump and Baipat Siripaporn to end the first day of the 2024 World Mixed Doubles on top of the standings.
The top two at the conclusion of tomorrow afternoon’s session will contest the final. Last year Evans was partnered with Ronnie O’Sullivan and missed out by a single frame. She will be hoping to make the title match this time alongside reigning Crucible king Brecel.
A break of 42 from Brecel helped his team to take the opener this evening, before Trump and Siripaporn restored parity.
Evans and Brecel then claimed the third, before a marathon final frame of the match. After 50 minutes of play it was the English and Belgian duo who got over the line and secured victory.
“That’s why you enter these competitions, to lift that trophy at the end. With a partner like Luca you have all the chance in the world. We need to up our game. Everyone has struggled a little bit, but if we can find a bit of form we can be lifting that trophy tomorrow night.”
Reanne Evans
12-time Women's World Champion
The final game of the day saw a repeat of last year's final, with defending champions Neil Robertson and Mink Nutcharut sharing the spoils against Mark Selby and Rebecca Kenna in a 2-2 draw.
The marathon contest ended with the clock beyond midnight and the two teams locked together in the table and in this match. However, it is Robertson and Mink who end the day in second place by virtue of a break of 50 in the third frame this evening.