Selby went into the second session with a 2:7 score; the four-time world champion was already lacking timing and rhythm on Sunday. Although Selby improved as a result, he was no longer a real threat to the impressively confident O’Connor.
For Selby it was the first defeat at a World Cup since 2018. The 40-year-old then left it open whether he would continue his career beyond the summer.
“I’m going to meet Vicky (Selby’s wife, Note d. Red.) together and see what the options are,” Selby said in an interview with Eurosport: “Maybe you’ll see me again next season, maybe not.”
He added: “Of course it will be a big decision, but if I continue to play, I need help – especially with the mental component. I just want to go out and have fun. I’ve always been a guy who puts himself under too much puts pressure on.”
Curious action! Selby causes laughter with an extended aria
Murphy makes duel with Maguire perfect – Bingham beats Wilson
Shaun Murphy easily reached the round of 16, where he will face Stephen Maguire. Murphy defeated Lyu Haotian 10:5. At the end of the first session, the former world champion had already extended his lead to 6:3 with a 111.
In the second session, Murphy quickly moved ahead to 9:4. Lyu won the twelfth frame on black. In the 14th frame, Lyu shortened it again with a 117, the 100th century break of his career. But in the next round Murphy made everything clear with a quick 81.
Former world champion Stuart Bingham beat Gary Wilson 10:5. Bingham is now the fifth qualifier in the second round. He laid the foundation in the first session, after which he led 6:3. He missed the possible 7:2 when he missed the last black ball.
“Unbelievable!” Bingham blacked out on the last ball
Williams and Pang in front
In the evening Gary Wilson got off to a better start and got to 5:6. In the twelfth frame he missed a light pink ball. That tipped the match again. Bingham made it 7:5 and then took advantage of a short shot from Wilson to make it 8:5. Wilson’s resistance was broken.
Mark Williams leads 5:4 after the first session against Si Jiahui. Williams started with a 142 and won the first two frames, but last year’s semi-finalist Si took the lead for the first time with 4:3. With strong nerves, the three-time Welsh world champion still regained the narrow lead with breaks of 57 and 63 points.
Pang Junxu won the first three frames against Robert Milkins and later led 5-3. However, Milkins dominated the ninth frame and kept the deficit at 4:5.
100th century of his career: Haotian shortens against Murphy