In a remarkable turn of events, snooker player Thepchaiya Un-Nooh made history by becoming the first player in the modern era of professional snooker to miss out on a 147 break by missing the final black for the third time in his career. The Thai speedster showcased his talent with a brilliant break of 140, only to see his hopes dashed by the final black, which stubbornly stayed lodged in the jaws of the pocket during his 6-4 victory over Lei Peifan in the qualifying round for the International Championship.
This unfortunate incident marked the fifth time in Un-Nooh’s career that he was chasing a maximum break, with the elusive 147 once again slipping through his fingers. The world No. 38 narrowly missed out on snooker’s 206th maximum break in the second frame of his match against Lei Peifan, as he overran the position of the white ball after potting the pink in baulk. Instead of opting for a safer shot on the black, Un-Nooh went for a thin cutback, only to see the black ball refuse to drop, causing him great agony.
This was not the first time Un-Nooh had experienced such heartbreak, as he previously missed out on a 147 break against Neil Robertson at the 2015 UK Championship and against Anthony McGill in the 2016 World Championship qualifiers. Despite these setbacks, Un-Nooh has managed to achieve four maximum breaks since turning professional in 2009.
Reflecting on his near-miss, Un-Nooh expressed his disappointment, stating, “It’s a familiar feeling, but it never gets any easier. I was so close, but the black just didn’t want to go in. It’s a tough pill to swallow, especially given how rare these opportunities are.”
Fans of snooker can catch all the top action, including the Northern Ireland Open, live on discovery+, where the likes of Trump, Williams, and Higgins have recently qualified for the International Championship. In the meantime, White has booked his spot at the Northern Ireland Open with a convincing win over Page, while Trump showcased his dominance with three centuries in a victory over Thepchaiya at the German Masters.
Despite his near-misses on the 147 break, Un-Nooh remains a talented player with the potential to achieve great success in the world of professional snooker. His determination and skill on the table continue to impress fans and fellow players alike, making him a player to watch in future tournaments.
