Match Reports: Day One at the 888.com World Championship

Matt Makes Glossy Start

Matthew Stevens 7 – 2 Joe Delaney

Joe Delaney had a Crucible debut to forget as Matthew Stevens cruised towards round two.

At 34, the Irishman is the oldest of this year’s rookies, but his experience counted for little as he put in a tense, error-strewn performance.

Stevens was able to play within himself and pick off the opportunities gifted to him. Breaks of 60 and 69 helped him to a 5-0 lead before his opponent finally got off the mark.

The Welshman, twice a beaten Crucible finalist, has had a relatively poor season but took the next two frames to move into a 7-1 lead.

Delaney snatched the last frame of the session with some intelligent safety to finish 7-2 down. It gives him a glimmer of a chance for the second session, but he needs a Crucible miracle to stay in Sheffield past the weekend.

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