No Crucible heroics this year as Blackpool snooker star James Cahill loses in first World Championship qualifier

The 24-year-old from Marton last year became the first amateur to win through the qualifiers and then sensationally defeated Ronnie O'Sullivan in the first round at snooker's most famous venue.

But last night it was Cahill's turn to be on the receiving end of an upset, defeated 6-2 by Belgian 15-year-old Ben Mertens in the first of the four qualifying rounds at the English Institute of Sport.

Cahill won the opening frame with a break of 82 only for Mertens to win the next five and take a grip of the contest, his best break being a 63 in frame two.

The Blackpool potter prolonged the best-of-11 contest with a break of 90, the best of the match, in frame seven, but former World Under-18 champion Mertens took the next frame 73-9 to seal victory and a second-round tie against England's Sam Baird on Friday.

Currently ranked 106th in the world, Cahill has made a disappointing return to the professional ranks this season. Wins have been few and far between, though he retains his tour card for 2020/21.

This season's highlight was his defeat of 11th seed David Gilbert in the UK Championship, adding to Cahill's impressive list of scalps in that event which includes Ding Junhui and Mark Selby.

The World Championship at the Crucible gets under way a week on Friday.