Going for what would have been his third World Championship win in a row, the 'Jester from Leicester' Mark Selby has crashed out at the first hurdle.
Facing Joe Perry, Selby found himself 7-2 behind after this morning's first session.
Set for a best-of-19, Perry needed three frames to claim an unlikely win. The 43-year-old Perry, who has only one ranking win to his name, overcame any potential nerves and claimed a priceless 10-4 victory in this evening's session.
The defending champion is OUT!
Mark Selby suffers a shock 10-4 defeat by Joe Perry in the first round of the World Championship. #bbcsnooker pic.twitter.com/oczvLnm2bX— BBC Snooker (@BBCSnooker) April 21, 2018
Blimey, well played Joe Perry what a match. Sad to see Mark Selby go home. Snooker can be unforgiving. #WorldSnookerChampionship @Betfred
— Zitah (@ZitahM) April 21, 2018
First round and Selby out... Oops... #snookerhasstarted
— Pasi Oksanen (@OksanenPasi) April 21, 2018
Defending champ Selby out on the first day! Ronnie also staring down the barrel. Wilson’s odds have halved since the first cue ball was struck this morning. #bbcsnooker
— James Whaling (@jjwhaling) April 21, 2018
With Ronnie O'Sullivan also trailing 6-3 to Stephen Maguire, the World Snooker Championships have certainly started on an eventful note.
Having got as far as the semi-final ten years ago, Perry will surely take confidence from this most astonishing of scalps.
You can watch Perry see out the round below.
HUGE upset!#ilovesnooker @Betfred pic.twitter.com/IeL7o7dFjx
— World Snooker Tour (@WeAreWST) April 21, 2018
