Luca Brecel thinks Judd Trump is ahead of Ronnie O’Sullivan in the battle to be snooker’s best ever player. The 2023 World Snooker Championship winner was sent packing by Trump at the Crucible on Wednesday as the Englishman reeled off five consecutive frames in the evening session to secure a 13-8 win.

Brecel and Trump played out a scintillating encounter in Sheffield, with a semi-final spot at stake. The Belgian fought back from 5-2 behind to move into a 7-5 lead on Wednesday afternoon but was pegged back as the duo went into the final session of the match level at 8-8. And Trump turned it on when it mattered as he racked up centuries in the first two frames of the evening before pulling away.

Brecel was asked about Trump in the aftermath of the showdown. And the 30-year-old made it clear exactly what he thought of the Bristol-born star.

“He’s incredible. He’s so difficult to play against. Anyone in the draw I would have fancied beating, but he’s just a different level,” Brecel explained.

“When I got my chances I took them well. I played a couple of bad shots and against him it will cost you. He’s just the best.

“I think you have many players who can score unbelievably, but he backs it up with great safety and great long-potting. That’s incredibly difficult and that’s the reason he’s number one.

“I think he’s been the best player for maybe the last five years, so it’s no surprise. He actually always plays like a number one, I think some years maybe the number one wasn’t as good as him. I think he’s probably the best number one that’s ever been, maybe.”

Brecel then added: “I’ve played him so many times and I think there’s no one better, actually. And he’s still young, he can still win so many more. For me he’s probably the best ever.”

Trump has established himself as one of the top players in snooker since breaking through in the mid-2000s.

But, despite his imperious displays at the baize, he has only ever won the World Championship on one occasion. That triumph came in 2019 when he thumped John Higgins 18-9 in the showpiece match at the Crucible.

The 35-year-old was a losing finalist in 2011 and 2022 and will now be eyeing up his second Crucible title as he prepares to face Mark Williams in the semi-finals.

If Trump can topple Williams, he will take on either O’Sullivan or Zhao Xintong in the final. Trump is the favourite to lift this year’s trophy, with O’Sullivan the second favourite after returning to the sport last month following a three-month break.