Luca Brecel has failed to qualify for this weekend's action (Image: Getty)

Luca Brecel has failed to qualify for the UK Championship, two years after winning the World Snooker Championship.

The 30-year-old Belgian’s downfall is showing no signs of slowing as he was knocked out in the third of four qualifying rounds ahead of the first Triple Crown event of the season. Brecel, now ranked 40th in the world, suffered a shock 6-3 defeat to world No.106 Ian Burns, meaning he will miss out on a shot at winning the £1.2million prize fund on offer at the main stage when the action gets underway this weekend in York.

The fact that a player of Brecel’s calibre even had to go through qualifying, let alone failed to qualify, would be astonishing if not for his recent struggles.

The 2021 UK Cham

See Full Page