GOODNIGHT VIENNA, Dominic Dale – well done on making the Crucible after a decade-long absence.
Nicknamed the Spaceman, the eccentric Welshman – the oldest qualifier since Steve Davis in 2010 – was crushed 10-1 by Kyren Wilson in the first round.
Dale, 52, took the usual step of addressing the crowd BEFORE the second session start time of 10am.
And the multilingual cueist spoke words of German to a couple who had travelled over from the Austrian capital of Vienna.
Dale, who walked out to 1968 tune ‘I’m the urban spaceman’ by the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, explained: “I met some fans from Vienna over breakfast at the hotel.
“This lady said: ‘The MC mentions people from Finland and all over Europe but every time I put my hand up, I never get picked.’
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“I said, I’m 8-1 down, I will go out before I play – I wouldn’t have done this at 5-4 down – and say a few words.
“I’ll say: ‘Is anybody from Vienna?’ We had a bit of a chat. I said a couple of things in German. Like have fun. Stay healthy.”
Dale, who now heads to London for Eurosport comms duty, recorded a 120 break in frame four but then only scored 97 points over the next seven frames.
His French girlfriend Anne was unable to attend as she was working back at Gloucestershire but they are planning a trip to her father’s place in Burgundy next month.
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The world No.40, appearing in this event for the first time in 10 years, added: “It’s tough to take. I’m very surprised I struggled so much.
“The Crucible is unique, it’s different and confined. I played somebody who didn’t give me too many opportunities.
“Kyren started off like an Express Train. His game is in wonderful shape. He could be a contender – and I hope he is. It was a battle for me mentally.
“I was battling the occasion as much as anything else.
“You could see the difference between someone who is a top-16 seed against a qualifier.
“I was like a fish out of water. Kyren absolutely annihilated me. It’s not very often I get completely spifflicated.
“So, 10-1 is humiliating. But would rather suffer an annihilation like that than lose 10-9 on a black after being 9-7 up. That really hurts.
“I was never in this match. It’s just disappointing I didn’t perform like I have done all season.
“But at 52, I’m very privileged and lucky to be here. I’m amazed to experience it again.”
Former world finalist Wilson, 32, now faces surprise package Joe O’Connor, whom he practised with before the start of the Sheffield event.
The Warrior, who led 8-1 overnight, said: “It was a commanding lead.
“A weird night’s sleep. A case of trying to do things right this morning.
“I haven’t had the results I may have expected this season but my scoring stats have been very high. That way you always give yourself a chance.
“When it comes to the Crucible, I always think I am someone who is one of the players to stop. I like to believe I am moulded and suited to the tournament.”
