Nathan Aspinall survives pre-match scare to progress in World Championship
Nathan Aspinall encountered an unexpected surprise ahead of his second-round World Championship match on Monday evening when opponent Leonard Gates approached him in the practice room wearing a Chewbacca mask, reports BritPanorama.
Gates, a 55-year-old American qualifier, startled Aspinall by tapping him on the shoulder while adorned in the costume, leaving the British player genuinely shocked before their encounter at Alexandra Palace. The prank, according to Gates, was meant in good spirit, as he explained, “We were in the players’ room and I was wearing my Chewbacca mask. I walked up to him and he was like, ‘Oh my God, what is this?'”
Despite the pre-match antics, Aspinall showcased his class with a commanding performance, prevailing 3-0 while conceding just three legs throughout the match. The 15th seed admitted that the prank had unnerved him, stating, “Honest to God, I can’t say it, I nearly pooed my pants, I was a bit scared.” However, Aspinall offered praise for Gates, highlighting his good nature.
Reflecting on the match, Aspinall noted, “He’s a great guy. I played Leonard here last year. I had a job to do, I won 3-0, it was very comfortable and I’m back after Christmas.” The 34-year-old has only lost a single set across his first two matches at this year’s tournament. Aspinall is set to face Dutch player Kevin Doets in the third round and acknowledged the challenge, noting, “Kevin is a great player. I haven’t got a very good record against him.”
Elsewhere on Monday night, Gian van Veen delivered a remarkable performance against Scottish firefighter Alan Soutar, recording an average of 108.28 in his 3-1 victory. The 23-year-old Dutchman achieved a spectacular 170 checkout, showcasing his talent and ability under pressure.
As the tournament progresses, the mix of light-hearted pranks and intense competition reminds fans of the unique and often unpredictable dynamics of the sport, where even a moment of surprise can lead to memorable performances.
