Moody, 19, surges ahead of 2024 champion Wilson

English teenager Stan Moody made a hugely impressive debut at the Crucible as he moved into a 6-3 lead in his World Championship first-round match against former winner Kyren Wilson.

Moody, 19, needs four more frames to become the youngest player to win a match at the famous Sheffield theatre since a 19-year-old Ronnie O'Sullivan beat Dave Harold and Darren Morgan before falling to Stephen Hendry in 1995.

Wilson, the 2024 champion, will have to win seven frames in Monday's evening session, which begins at 19:00 BST, if he is to advance.

After getting a great reception from the crowd, Moody, who comes from Halifax, less than 50 miles away from the Crucible, made an instant impact with a break of 84.

He then took the next two frames, including a break of 91, to lead 3-0 before Wilson won two frames in a row. However, Moody responded superbly with two centuries in three frames, 110 in frame six and 101 two frames later.

Wilson claimed the final frame of the session to reduce the deficit to three.

Moody is 44th in the world rankings and had to win two matches to qualify.

On the day before his final qualifying match, last Tuesday, he had been in hospital with tonsillitis. But Moody discharged himself before playing, going against medical advice, and beat China's Jiang Jun 10-9 thanks to a century in the deciding frame to earn his Crucible spot.

Moody's performance impressed the snooker greats who were commentating on the match for the BBC.

When Moody was 3-0 ahead, seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry said: "This has been as impressive a performance from anyone we've seen in this tournament. It's great to play this way, without thinking of the consequences if you miss.

"He is playing with a freedom of he doesn't care what he leaves if he misses a pot.

"Do you remember when the game was this easy, it seems a long time for me?"

Six-time Crucible winner Steve Davis replied: "I don't remember it being this easy. It is like he is playing down the club. I know it is early days, but it looks like a star is already being born.

"Sometimes you felt at home at the Crucible and you own the place, but the cue action and confidence around the table - he has Kyren Wilson in all sorts of trouble."

John Parrott, world champion in 1991, was another of the BBC team to be impressed by the teenager and said: "Stan Moody has all the attributes and the maturity is coming as well as the talent.

"It's open, it's attacking and it's very dangerous. He is improving and you can see him getting better. I didn't think he was this good. What he is showing here is as good as it gets.

"The way he has struck the ball, created his breaks and his touch, everything about him has been top drawer - this boy might be a bit special."

Hendry felt Wilson would need to be at his best to get back in the match, with the winner going on to play Northern Ireland's Mark Allen in the last 16.

"I'm more impressed with how Stan reacted when he lost two frames in a row to go 3-2," added Hendry. "Kyren was one of the contenders at the start of this, but if Stan continues to play like this tonight, you can't see a comeback."