Kyren Wilson takes early lead in world title defence against Lei Peifan

The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield has always had a way of testing champions, and Kyren Wilson is now discovering just how steep the challenge can be in the defence of a world title. Facing a determined debutant in Lei Peifan, the reigning World Snooker Champion showed signs of nerves early on, but rallied to finish the first session with a commanding 6-3 lead in their best-of-19-frames showdown.

For Wilson, the weight of history looms large. No first-time champion has successfully defended the title at the Crucible since the tournament moved to Sheffield in 1977—a phenomenon known in snooker circles as the Crucible curse. But after an unsteady start, the world number two demonstrated exactly why he’s tipped by many to finally break that streak.

Wilson’s world title defence begins with shaky start

It didn’t take long for the Crucible to provide drama. In the second frame, with the scores finely poised, Wilson twice missed routine blacks off the spot—mistakes that gave Lei Peifan, the 21-year-old Chinese qualifier making his debut at the venue, the opportunity to seize an early 2-0 lead.

At that point, it looked as though Wilson might be struggling with the pressure that comes with defending the biggest title in the sport. Lei, playing with a relaxed, fluent cue action, appeared completely unfazed by the grandeur of the setting or the calibre of his opponent.

But if Wilson’s early misses were signs of tension, what followed next was a masterclass in mental resilience.

Class shows as Wilson turns it around

World Snooker Championship 2025: Kyren Wilson leads Lei Peifan at Crucible

Rather than panic, Wilson recalibrated and hit his stride in impressive fashion. The 33-year-old Englishman reeled off six consecutive frames, showcasing the break-building nous and tactical maturity that helped him lift the title in 2024.

He racked up three half-century breaks in that run, including a composed 136 in the eighth frame that had the Crucible crowd on its feet. It was a reminder of Wilson’s calm under pressure and his ability to find his scoring rhythm when he settles into a match.

The eighth frame, in particular, was a thing of beauty—a delicate balance of power and precision as Wilson crafted his century with surgical control, leaving Lei firmly planted in his chair.

Lei Peifan clings to hope ahead of evening session

To Lei’s credit, he didn’t fold. In the final frame of the morning session, he took advantage of a rare mistake from Wilson, who overhit a positional shot after potting a pink, leaving a difficult angle on the final red. That error opened the door, and Lei took it, cutting the deficit to 6-3 heading into the evening’s conclusion.

It was a crucial moment—not just in the match, but potentially for Lei’s confidence. A 7-2 scoreline might have felt insurmountable, but 6-3 leaves the door slightly ajar. He’ll return for the 19:00 BST session with renewed belief, hoping to build on the momentum of that final frame.

Looking ahead: Wilson eyes second round, Crucible curse looms

Should Wilson get over the line and reach the second round, he’ll face either Jak Jones, the man he defeated in last year’s final, or China’s Zhao Xintong, a former UK Championship winner with bags of talent.

But even with a 6-3 cushion, Wilson will know that nothing can be taken for granted at the Crucible. The long-format matches can swing dramatically, and with the unique atmosphere of the venue and the pressure of title defence hanging over him, he’ll need to maintain his composure.

Still, the signs are positive. After a slow start, Wilson found his rhythm, and his scoring power remains one of the most formidable weapons in the game. If he can ride out this early test and build further confidence, there’s no reason why he can’t mount a serious defence of his crown—even with the Crucible curse casting its long shadow.

Saturday schedule stacked with snooker stars

Elsewhere at the Crucible on Saturday, a number of other big names will also begin their World Championship campaigns. Former champions Neil Robertson and Mark Williams are both in action in the afternoon session. Robertson takes on Chris Wakelin, while Williams will face Wu Yize, another rising Chinese talent.

In the evening session, Wilson and Lei will conclude their first-round clash, while Barry Hawkins begins his match against Hossein Vafaei, a contest that promises fireworks of its own.

It’s shaping up to be a classic opening weekend at the Crucible. For Kyren Wilson, the early signs are good—but the real test is still to come. As every champion who has walked through those famous doors knows, titles aren’t won on day one. But they can certainly be lost.