Luca Brecel and Reanne Evans combined to capture the 2024 World Mixed Doubles crown in Manchester on Sunday.
The duo claimed the top prize at the Manchester Central, beating Mark Selby and Rebecca Kenna 4-2 in the final.
For much of the second day, it had appeared as though the reigning world champion on the main tour and the 12-time women’s world champion were heading for an early exit.
Brecel and Evans trailed Selby and Kenna 3-0 in the last round-robin fixture, with their fourth frame proving pivotal in the overall outcome of the tournament.
Had Selby and Kenna ran out 4-0 winners, they would have faced Judd Trump and Baipat Siripaporn in the final.
Instead, Brecel and Evans got the crucial frame they required to advance.
They finished on the same points as Trump and Siripaporn in the league table but progressed at their rivals’ expense thanks to a 3-1 head-to-head victory on day one.
In the title-deciding clash, Brecel and Evans faced table-toppers Selby and Kenna again, the latter having gone undefeated in the competition so far.
Brecel and Evans won the first two frames but were pegged back, and parity was restored when Selby compiled a break of 67 in the fourth frame.
A tight fifth frame subsequently saw Brecel and Evans move to within the brink of glory, and they duly sealed the champion’s cheque with a run of 59.
Reigning champions Neil Robertson and Mink Nutcharut failed to win a single match this year and finished last in the group stage.
Back on the calendar for a second season, the World Mixed Doubles was a well-attended event with a positively received fans zone at the venue.
The final, which Selby and Kenna lost for the second time having also finished runner-up in 2022, proved to be the most entertaining tie of the entire weekend.
However, the snooker was otherwise difficult to watch at times, with protracted drawn-out frames making the action hard to enjoy.
Whether the format needs a tweak or if the tournament simply doesn’t work will both be among the considerations following this weekend’s play.
Brecel and Evans won’t mind, in particular the Belgian who will be feeling a bit happier about his upcoming Crucible defence now that he’s got some silverware from this campaign in the bag.
World Mixed Doubles
Saturday
Round-Robin Stage
Robertson & Nutcharut 2-2 Brecel & Evans
Trump & Siripaporn 2-2 Selby & Kenna
Trump & Siripaporn 1-3 Brecel & Evans
Selby & Kenna 2-2 Robertson & Nutcharut
Sunday
Trump & Siripaporn 3-1 Robertson & Nutcharut
Brecel & Evans 1-3 Selby & Kenna
Final
Brecel & Evans 4-2 Selby & Kenna
Featured photo credit: WST
