Kyren Wilson’s title defence at the 2025 World Snooker Championship came to an abrupt end after a shock defeat to China’s Lei Peifan on the tournament’s opening day.
Wilson had taken a commanding 6-3 lead in the first session, but Lei mounted an incredible comeback in the second, winning six straight frames to move within reach of a memorable upset.
Although Wilson fought back late in the match to force a decider, Lei kept his composure to seal a dramatic 10-9 victory and secure his place in the second round.
The result means the infamous ‘Crucible curse’ lives on, as no first-time world champion has managed to retain the title since the championship’s move to Sheffield in 1977. Wilson had entered the tournament as one of the favourites, having won four ranking events this season more than any other player.
At 33, Wilson becomes the sixth first-time winner to suffer a first-round exit while defending the crown, joining Steve Davis, Dennis Taylor, Graeme Dott, Neil Robertson, and Luca Brecel.
“It’s really tough to accept,” Wilson admitted. “I’ve always had a strong record here, and even though I wasn’t at my best, it still took a 10-9 to beat me. It’s been an exhausting season, the toughest of my life, but I’m proud of how I’ve managed it and what I’ve achieved.”
On the enduring ‘curse’, Wilson added: “People make more of it than it probably deserves players have won more titles after their first. It’ll be broken eventually, just not by me, unfortunately.”
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