- Three-time champion Mark Selby suffered a first-round defeat to Mark Williams
- In the tournament’s opening match, Williams won a tense deciding frame to win
- Selby also endured early elimination at the UK Championship last month
- The champion suffered a second round exit losing to young Scott Donaldson
Three-time champion Mark Selby suffered a first-round defeat to Mark Williams at the Dafabet Masters on Sunday.
In the tournament’s opening match, Williams won a tense deciding frame to clinch a 6-5 victory and book his place in the Alexandra Palace quarter-finals.
Williams, 42, won the Masters in 1998 and 2003 and began against Selby with a break of 135. He moved 2-0 up with an 89 before Selby began to dominate, and at 5-3 ahead the world number one from Leicester looked on course to come through his opening test.
Three-time champion Mark Selby faced a first-round Dafabet Masters defeat to Mark Williams
Williams, 42, won the Masters in 1998 and 2003 and produced a fine show to oust Selby
In the tournament’s opening match, Williams won the tense deciding frame to win 6-5
There was more to come from Williams though, and the veteran Welshman hauled himself level.
Selby then inched six points ahead in the decider but missed a difficult last red to give Williams a final chance, and he cleared to the pink to set up a last-eight clash with Barry Hawkins or Kyren Wilson.
Williams said on Eurosport: ‘I thought it was a good match. Both of us played quite well. I never gave in. I’m over the moon.
‘I’m playing a hell of a lot better than I have done for many years. If I can keep playing like that then someone’s going to have to play well (to beat me).’
Reigning world champion Selby was also eliminated early in the UK Championship last month, losing to Scott Donaldson in the second round.
Englishman Selby could not find his usual rhythm as veteran Welshman Williams held his nerve
Selby was also eliminated early in the UK Championship last month, losing to Scott Donaldson