Clemens already thinking about returning to Blackpool after elimination: 'Hopefully by plane then'

For the second year running, Gabriel Clemens lost to José de Sousa in the first round of the World Matchplay.

The German did show some improvement; where he lost 10-2 in 2021, this time the score was 10-6 in favour of De Sousa. Because Martin Schindler also lost to Gerwyn Price, there are no German players in the second round of the tournament.

''We both couldn't win our opening match at the World Matchplay. We both had our chances, but they weren't used", Clemens reflected on his and Schindler's defeats.

Schindler and Clemens then drove back to Germany together, a car journey that lasted no less than twelve hours. Clemens was already looking ahead to his next participation in Blackpool. "The aim is for us to go on this trip together again. Hopefully by plane again," concluded 'The German Giant'.