Luca Brecel lasted just two-and-a-half frames of his Xi’an Grand Prix qualifier against Sunny Akani before withdrawing to hand his opponent a 5-0 walkover victory. The Belgian Bullet was playing in his first match of the 2025-26 season having withdrawn from contests in the Championship League, the Saudi Arabia Masters and the Wuhan Open.
And with Brecel 2-0 down to the world No.72 in Leicester, he stood up while trailing 40-0 in the third frame and shook hands with Akani. The 2023 world champion left his Thai opponent visibly shocked. Akani had been eyeing a blue to the middle when Brecel rose from his seat.
The four-time ranking event winner has not yet explained why he gave up mid-match though World Snooker Tour footage shows him pointing to his cue after shaking hands with Akani. Just last month, Brecel admitted health problems were the reason he has pulled out of multiple tournaments this year.
The 30-year-old had not competed since April before this Xi’an Grand Prix qualifier and had previously given little explanation as to why he kept skipping events before his social media statement. Brecel cited medical reasons in his decision to withdraw from the Saudi Arabia Masters.
And he expanded in a statement: “Hi everyone, some of you might have been wondering why I am not participating in snooker events since April. The truth is that I am suffering with health problems.
“Me and my team are doing everything we can to come out of this stronger and better than before. It’s been really frustrating to not be able to travel and compete in tournaments! But… I always choose to be optimistic! Tough times often lead to something great!”
Before this, Brecel had not been in action since losing 13-8 to Judd Trump in the World Championship quarter-finals at the Crucible in April. But the Belgian seemed excited when confirming his return at the Xi’an Grand Prix, posting to his Instagram story a countdown clock while he practiced at home.
It remains to be seen if he is punished by the WST for his sudden withdrawal against Akani.