- Mark Selby described his performance as “pathetic” after his shock defeat
- Ben Woollaston amazed the fourth seeded 10-8 for having established a last equality with Si Jiahu
Snooker star Mark Selby struck his “pathetic” performance after being turned upside down by Ben Woollaston during the first round of the world snooker championships.
Four times world champion Selby, 41, was one of the favorites for the tournament, but was amazed by his compatriot native of Leicester, Woollaston, in a competition that spent at midnight.
Woollaston, 37, whose only professional title arrived at the championship of the tour of the third minor players in 2011, amazed the fourth seeded 10-8.
Selby had held a thin advance of 5-4 before the decision session last night in Sheffield, but Woollaston won all the frames except three to reach the second round, in what is only his second appearance in the main tournament.
The world number 44 has competed in the crucible for the first time since 2013 and will face the former semi-finalist if Jiahu.
After her shock defeat, Selby said, “I was not worth winning.
Mark Selby criticized its “pathetic” display at the world snooker championships in Sheffield
Selby, 41
Selby had kept a thin advance of 5-4 before the decision session last night against Woollaston
“Well played good things, his safety was sometimes incredible but I always had my chances. It was really pathetic on my part, playing like it is disappointing.
“It’s the same old story, I’m trying too hard and prevents myself from playing. I love Ben to Bits, I have known him for years. I grew up with him and saw him progress.
“To finish the season as it put a shock absorber on the season. My goal in the future is to win more triple crown events.
Meanwhile, Woollaston praised the victory as the greatest of his career.
“I arrived at the Welsh Open final and my biggest victory was to beat (Mark) Williams in Wales and he was wrapped, but it’s bigger.
“I know I’m pretty good tactically, but Mark (Selby) is the best for that. I stayed quite hard in the security battles and that’s what earned me the match.
He added: “I’m really in shock.
“I never thought that this day would come, win a match in the crucible, and against Mark, who, with the exception of Ronnie O’Sullivan, is probably the king of the crucible lately. It is an incredible victory for me.
Woollaston, in competition in the crucible for the first time since 2013, will now face if Jiahu
Selby is one of the biggest stars of its generation and was the last world champion in 2021
Luca Brecel defeated Ryan Day, returning from 5-1 below, to reach the last 16
Earlier Thursday, the former champion Luca Brecel beat Ryan Day 10-7, returning from 5-1, to reach the last 16.
After the defeat, Day, 45, admitted that his best days had spent him.
“Even with a 5-1 advance, I looked over my shoulder and I didn’t expect it. I’m just not too confident and I’m certainly not the player I was in the past, “he said.
“I introduce myself and play and try. I have done it for a long time, so it is obviously much closer to the end than the start. I would have fought as I played if it had been a few years ago, but I reconciled myself.
“I always like competition, I just don’t have the game I had. As long as I am on tour, I will always play and I will earn my life. I need to try to do something different (in matches) but I don’t see that my game really improves.
