Mark Selby, the three-times Masters champion, suffered an early exit as he misplaced 6-2 to the Iranian debutant Hossein Vafaei at Alexandra Palace on Sunday night.
Vafaei isn’t on the earth prime 16, who qualify robotically, however took Zhao Xintong’s place within the draw after the Chinese star turned one of 10 gamers suspended from the tour amid an investigation into match-fixing.
The Iranian made two centuries and additional breaks of 99, 52 and 65 to beat Selby for the third time in succession. In distinction, Selby’s highest break of the night was solely 49 as he suffered a 3rd first-round loss on the Masters within the final 4 years.
Vafaei is the primary Iranian to win a rating event, the primary to play on the Crucible and now the primary to play within the Masters.
“I can’t believe it,” he advised Eurosport. “Am I asleep or awake? Honestly, I can’t believe it. He’s such a tough opponent, he never gives up. He’s such a legend and it’s such a pleasure to share the table with him.
“I’m so proud of myself to beat him again. He’s one of the greatest ambassadors we have so I’m so happy to do the hat-trick against him.”
In the afternoon session there was one other shock with the defending champion, Neil Robertson, knocked out by Shaun Murphy, who held off a spirited fightback from the Australian to win 6-4.
Robertson received the opening body with a break of 73 however Murphy reeled off the subsequent 5 in succession with contributions of 98, 53, 61 and 100, the century coming after Robertson had miscued horribly on the black.
Murphy had the prospect to wrap up victory in a 48-minute seventh body solely to overlook the inexperienced after an excellent pot on the yellow with the remaining and that appeared set to be a turning level.
Robertson made a break of 84 to scale back his deficit and was then on course for a most break of 147 within the ninth body earlier than lacking a troublesome 14th pink into the yellow pocket. The left-hander had the prospect to pressure a decider when Murphy broke down on 54 in body 10, however missed the blue into the center making an attempt to pressure place on the ultimate pink and a relieved Murphy sealed a 6-4 win.
“I was as surprised as anyone to find myself 5-1 ahead,” Murphy advised the BBC. “I played well but of course against Neil you don’t expect to be in that position. I was pushed along by this great crowd here this afternoon. It’s great to be back, I didn’t enjoy the last half an hour, but in general it’s been a good season, my game’s been trending in the right direction.”
Murphy will play both Kyren Wilson or Stuart Bingham within the quarter-finals.
Robertson revealed he had been affected by an “horrendous bout of flu” within the buildup to the match. “I’ve just been in bed really for a week and a half and Mille [his wife] has done amazingly well, because she’s had it as well, to look after the kids to allow me to get as much rest as possible,” he advised Eurosport.
“I’ve been going to the club and doing about 45 minutes’ [practice], about the most I can do … on a lot of painkillers and was really struggling out there physically. I have to thank the crowd, they kind of gave me something, especially in the 147 attempt. I just wanted to somehow make a maximum and then be happy even with losing.”
Mark Selby, the three-times Masters champion, suffered an early exit as he misplaced 6-2 to the Iranian debutant Hossein Vafaei at Alexandra Palace on Sunday night.
Vafaei isn’t on the earth prime 16, who qualify robotically, however took Zhao Xintong’s place within the draw after the Chinese star turned one of 10 gamers suspended from the tour amid an investigation into match-fixing.
The Iranian made two centuries and additional breaks of 99, 52 and 65 to beat Selby for the third time in succession. In distinction, Selby’s highest break of the night was solely 49 as he suffered a 3rd first-round loss on the Masters within the final 4 years.
Vafaei is the primary Iranian to win a rating event, the primary to play on the Crucible and now the primary to play within the Masters.
“I can’t believe it,” he advised Eurosport. “Am I asleep or awake? Honestly, I can’t believe it. He’s such a tough opponent, he never gives up. He’s such a legend and it’s such a pleasure to share the table with him.
“I’m so proud of myself to beat him again. He’s one of the greatest ambassadors we have so I’m so happy to do the hat-trick against him.”
In the afternoon session there was one other shock with the defending champion, Neil Robertson, knocked out by Shaun Murphy, who held off a spirited fightback from the Australian to win 6-4.
Robertson received the opening body with a break of 73 however Murphy reeled off the subsequent 5 in succession with contributions of 98, 53, 61 and 100, the century coming after Robertson had miscued horribly on the black.
Murphy had the prospect to wrap up victory in a 48-minute seventh body solely to overlook the inexperienced after an excellent pot on the yellow with the remaining and that appeared set to be a turning level.
Robertson made a break of 84 to scale back his deficit and was then on course for a most break of 147 within the ninth body earlier than lacking a troublesome 14th pink into the yellow pocket. The left-hander had the prospect to pressure a decider when Murphy broke down on 54 in body 10, however missed the blue into the center making an attempt to pressure place on the ultimate pink and a relieved Murphy sealed a 6-4 win.
“I was as surprised as anyone to find myself 5-1 ahead,” Murphy advised the BBC. “I played well but of course against Neil you don’t expect to be in that position. I was pushed along by this great crowd here this afternoon. It’s great to be back, I didn’t enjoy the last half an hour, but in general it’s been a good season, my game’s been trending in the right direction.”
Murphy will play both Kyren Wilson or Stuart Bingham within the quarter-finals.
Robertson revealed he had been affected by an “horrendous bout of flu” within the buildup to the match. “I’ve just been in bed really for a week and a half and Mille [his wife] has done amazingly well, because she’s had it as well, to look after the kids to allow me to get as much rest as possible,” he advised Eurosport.
“I’ve been going to the club and doing about 45 minutes’ [practice], about the most I can do … on a lot of painkillers and was really struggling out there physically. I have to thank the crowd, they kind of gave me something, especially in the 147 attempt. I just wanted to somehow make a maximum and then be happy even with losing.”
Mark Selby, the three-times Masters champion, suffered an early exit as he misplaced 6-2 to the Iranian debutant Hossein Vafaei at Alexandra Palace on Sunday night.
Vafaei isn’t on the earth prime 16, who qualify robotically, however took Zhao Xintong’s place within the draw after the Chinese star turned one of 10 gamers suspended from the tour amid an investigation into match-fixing.
The Iranian made two centuries and additional breaks of 99, 52 and 65 to beat Selby for the third time in succession. In distinction, Selby’s highest break of the night was solely 49 as he suffered a 3rd first-round loss on the Masters within the final 4 years.
Vafaei is the primary Iranian to win a rating event, the primary to play on the Crucible and now the primary to play within the Masters.
“I can’t believe it,” he advised Eurosport. “Am I asleep or awake? Honestly, I can’t believe it. He’s such a tough opponent, he never gives up. He’s such a legend and it’s such a pleasure to share the table with him.
“I’m so proud of myself to beat him again. He’s one of the greatest ambassadors we have so I’m so happy to do the hat-trick against him.”
In the afternoon session there was one other shock with the defending champion, Neil Robertson, knocked out by Shaun Murphy, who held off a spirited fightback from the Australian to win 6-4.
Robertson received the opening body with a break of 73 however Murphy reeled off the subsequent 5 in succession with contributions of 98, 53, 61 and 100, the century coming after Robertson had miscued horribly on the black.
Murphy had the prospect to wrap up victory in a 48-minute seventh body solely to overlook the inexperienced after an excellent pot on the yellow with the remaining and that appeared set to be a turning level.
Robertson made a break of 84 to scale back his deficit and was then on course for a most break of 147 within the ninth body earlier than lacking a troublesome 14th pink into the yellow pocket. The left-hander had the prospect to pressure a decider when Murphy broke down on 54 in body 10, however missed the blue into the center making an attempt to pressure place on the ultimate pink and a relieved Murphy sealed a 6-4 win.
“I was as surprised as anyone to find myself 5-1 ahead,” Murphy advised the BBC. “I played well but of course against Neil you don’t expect to be in that position. I was pushed along by this great crowd here this afternoon. It’s great to be back, I didn’t enjoy the last half an hour, but in general it’s been a good season, my game’s been trending in the right direction.”
Murphy will play both Kyren Wilson or Stuart Bingham within the quarter-finals.
Robertson revealed he had been affected by an “horrendous bout of flu” within the buildup to the match. “I’ve just been in bed really for a week and a half and Mille [his wife] has done amazingly well, because she’s had it as well, to look after the kids to allow me to get as much rest as possible,” he advised Eurosport.
“I’ve been going to the club and doing about 45 minutes’ [practice], about the most I can do … on a lot of painkillers and was really struggling out there physically. I have to thank the crowd, they kind of gave me something, especially in the 147 attempt. I just wanted to somehow make a maximum and then be happy even with losing.”
Mark Selby, the three-times Masters champion, suffered an early exit as he misplaced 6-2 to the Iranian debutant Hossein Vafaei at Alexandra Palace on Sunday night.
Vafaei isn’t on the earth prime 16, who qualify robotically, however took Zhao Xintong’s place within the draw after the Chinese star turned one of 10 gamers suspended from the tour amid an investigation into match-fixing.
The Iranian made two centuries and additional breaks of 99, 52 and 65 to beat Selby for the third time in succession. In distinction, Selby’s highest break of the night was solely 49 as he suffered a 3rd first-round loss on the Masters within the final 4 years.
Vafaei is the primary Iranian to win a rating event, the primary to play on the Crucible and now the primary to play within the Masters.
“I can’t believe it,” he advised Eurosport. “Am I asleep or awake? Honestly, I can’t believe it. He’s such a tough opponent, he never gives up. He’s such a legend and it’s such a pleasure to share the table with him.
“I’m so proud of myself to beat him again. He’s one of the greatest ambassadors we have so I’m so happy to do the hat-trick against him.”
In the afternoon session there was one other shock with the defending champion, Neil Robertson, knocked out by Shaun Murphy, who held off a spirited fightback from the Australian to win 6-4.
Robertson received the opening body with a break of 73 however Murphy reeled off the subsequent 5 in succession with contributions of 98, 53, 61 and 100, the century coming after Robertson had miscued horribly on the black.
Murphy had the prospect to wrap up victory in a 48-minute seventh body solely to overlook the inexperienced after an excellent pot on the yellow with the remaining and that appeared set to be a turning level.
Robertson made a break of 84 to scale back his deficit and was then on course for a most break of 147 within the ninth body earlier than lacking a troublesome 14th pink into the yellow pocket. The left-hander had the prospect to pressure a decider when Murphy broke down on 54 in body 10, however missed the blue into the center making an attempt to pressure place on the ultimate pink and a relieved Murphy sealed a 6-4 win.
“I was as surprised as anyone to find myself 5-1 ahead,” Murphy advised the BBC. “I played well but of course against Neil you don’t expect to be in that position. I was pushed along by this great crowd here this afternoon. It’s great to be back, I didn’t enjoy the last half an hour, but in general it’s been a good season, my game’s been trending in the right direction.”
Murphy will play both Kyren Wilson or Stuart Bingham within the quarter-finals.
Robertson revealed he had been affected by an “horrendous bout of flu” within the buildup to the match. “I’ve just been in bed really for a week and a half and Mille [his wife] has done amazingly well, because she’s had it as well, to look after the kids to allow me to get as much rest as possible,” he advised Eurosport.
“I’ve been going to the club and doing about 45 minutes’ [practice], about the most I can do … on a lot of painkillers and was really struggling out there physically. I have to thank the crowd, they kind of gave me something, especially in the 147 attempt. I just wanted to somehow make a maximum and then be happy even with losing.”
Mark Selby, the three-times Masters champion, suffered an early exit as he misplaced 6-2 to the Iranian debutant Hossein Vafaei at Alexandra Palace on Sunday night.
Vafaei isn’t on the earth prime 16, who qualify robotically, however took Zhao Xintong’s place within the draw after the Chinese star turned one of 10 gamers suspended from the tour amid an investigation into match-fixing.
The Iranian made two centuries and additional breaks of 99, 52 and 65 to beat Selby for the third time in succession. In distinction, Selby’s highest break of the night was solely 49 as he suffered a 3rd first-round loss on the Masters within the final 4 years.
Vafaei is the primary Iranian to win a rating event, the primary to play on the Crucible and now the primary to play within the Masters.
“I can’t believe it,” he advised Eurosport. “Am I asleep or awake? Honestly, I can’t believe it. He’s such a tough opponent, he never gives up. He’s such a legend and it’s such a pleasure to share the table with him.
“I’m so proud of myself to beat him again. He’s one of the greatest ambassadors we have so I’m so happy to do the hat-trick against him.”
In the afternoon session there was one other shock with the defending champion, Neil Robertson, knocked out by Shaun Murphy, who held off a spirited fightback from the Australian to win 6-4.
Robertson received the opening body with a break of 73 however Murphy reeled off the subsequent 5 in succession with contributions of 98, 53, 61 and 100, the century coming after Robertson had miscued horribly on the black.
Murphy had the prospect to wrap up victory in a 48-minute seventh body solely to overlook the inexperienced after an excellent pot on the yellow with the remaining and that appeared set to be a turning level.
Robertson made a break of 84 to scale back his deficit and was then on course for a most break of 147 within the ninth body earlier than lacking a troublesome 14th pink into the yellow pocket. The left-hander had the prospect to pressure a decider when Murphy broke down on 54 in body 10, however missed the blue into the center making an attempt to pressure place on the ultimate pink and a relieved Murphy sealed a 6-4 win.
“I was as surprised as anyone to find myself 5-1 ahead,” Murphy advised the BBC. “I played well but of course against Neil you don’t expect to be in that position. I was pushed along by this great crowd here this afternoon. It’s great to be back, I didn’t enjoy the last half an hour, but in general it’s been a good season, my game’s been trending in the right direction.”
Murphy will play both Kyren Wilson or Stuart Bingham within the quarter-finals.
Robertson revealed he had been affected by an “horrendous bout of flu” within the buildup to the match. “I’ve just been in bed really for a week and a half and Mille [his wife] has done amazingly well, because she’s had it as well, to look after the kids to allow me to get as much rest as possible,” he advised Eurosport.
“I’ve been going to the club and doing about 45 minutes’ [practice], about the most I can do … on a lot of painkillers and was really struggling out there physically. I have to thank the crowd, they kind of gave me something, especially in the 147 attempt. I just wanted to somehow make a maximum and then be happy even with losing.”
Mark Selby, the three-times Masters champion, suffered an early exit as he misplaced 6-2 to the Iranian debutant Hossein Vafaei at Alexandra Palace on Sunday night.
Vafaei isn’t on the earth prime 16, who qualify robotically, however took Zhao Xintong’s place within the draw after the Chinese star turned one of 10 gamers suspended from the tour amid an investigation into match-fixing.
The Iranian made two centuries and additional breaks of 99, 52 and 65 to beat Selby for the third time in succession. In distinction, Selby’s highest break of the night was solely 49 as he suffered a 3rd first-round loss on the Masters within the final 4 years.
Vafaei is the primary Iranian to win a rating event, the primary to play on the Crucible and now the primary to play within the Masters.
“I can’t believe it,” he advised Eurosport. “Am I asleep or awake? Honestly, I can’t believe it. He’s such a tough opponent, he never gives up. He’s such a legend and it’s such a pleasure to share the table with him.
“I’m so proud of myself to beat him again. He’s one of the greatest ambassadors we have so I’m so happy to do the hat-trick against him.”
In the afternoon session there was one other shock with the defending champion, Neil Robertson, knocked out by Shaun Murphy, who held off a spirited fightback from the Australian to win 6-4.
Robertson received the opening body with a break of 73 however Murphy reeled off the subsequent 5 in succession with contributions of 98, 53, 61 and 100, the century coming after Robertson had miscued horribly on the black.
Murphy had the prospect to wrap up victory in a 48-minute seventh body solely to overlook the inexperienced after an excellent pot on the yellow with the remaining and that appeared set to be a turning level.
Robertson made a break of 84 to scale back his deficit and was then on course for a most break of 147 within the ninth body earlier than lacking a troublesome 14th pink into the yellow pocket. The left-hander had the prospect to pressure a decider when Murphy broke down on 54 in body 10, however missed the blue into the center making an attempt to pressure place on the ultimate pink and a relieved Murphy sealed a 6-4 win.
“I was as surprised as anyone to find myself 5-1 ahead,” Murphy advised the BBC. “I played well but of course against Neil you don’t expect to be in that position. I was pushed along by this great crowd here this afternoon. It’s great to be back, I didn’t enjoy the last half an hour, but in general it’s been a good season, my game’s been trending in the right direction.”
Murphy will play both Kyren Wilson or Stuart Bingham within the quarter-finals.
Robertson revealed he had been affected by an “horrendous bout of flu” within the buildup to the match. “I’ve just been in bed really for a week and a half and Mille [his wife] has done amazingly well, because she’s had it as well, to look after the kids to allow me to get as much rest as possible,” he advised Eurosport.
“I’ve been going to the club and doing about 45 minutes’ [practice], about the most I can do … on a lot of painkillers and was really struggling out there physically. I have to thank the crowd, they kind of gave me something, especially in the 147 attempt. I just wanted to somehow make a maximum and then be happy even with losing.”
Mark Selby, the three-times Masters champion, suffered an early exit as he misplaced 6-2 to the Iranian debutant Hossein Vafaei at Alexandra Palace on Sunday night.
Vafaei isn’t on the earth prime 16, who qualify robotically, however took Zhao Xintong’s place within the draw after the Chinese star turned one of 10 gamers suspended from the tour amid an investigation into match-fixing.
The Iranian made two centuries and additional breaks of 99, 52 and 65 to beat Selby for the third time in succession. In distinction, Selby’s highest break of the night was solely 49 as he suffered a 3rd first-round loss on the Masters within the final 4 years.
Vafaei is the primary Iranian to win a rating event, the primary to play on the Crucible and now the primary to play within the Masters.
“I can’t believe it,” he advised Eurosport. “Am I asleep or awake? Honestly, I can’t believe it. He’s such a tough opponent, he never gives up. He’s such a legend and it’s such a pleasure to share the table with him.
“I’m so proud of myself to beat him again. He’s one of the greatest ambassadors we have so I’m so happy to do the hat-trick against him.”
In the afternoon session there was one other shock with the defending champion, Neil Robertson, knocked out by Shaun Murphy, who held off a spirited fightback from the Australian to win 6-4.
Robertson received the opening body with a break of 73 however Murphy reeled off the subsequent 5 in succession with contributions of 98, 53, 61 and 100, the century coming after Robertson had miscued horribly on the black.
Murphy had the prospect to wrap up victory in a 48-minute seventh body solely to overlook the inexperienced after an excellent pot on the yellow with the remaining and that appeared set to be a turning level.
Robertson made a break of 84 to scale back his deficit and was then on course for a most break of 147 within the ninth body earlier than lacking a troublesome 14th pink into the yellow pocket. The left-hander had the prospect to pressure a decider when Murphy broke down on 54 in body 10, however missed the blue into the center making an attempt to pressure place on the ultimate pink and a relieved Murphy sealed a 6-4 win.
“I was as surprised as anyone to find myself 5-1 ahead,” Murphy advised the BBC. “I played well but of course against Neil you don’t expect to be in that position. I was pushed along by this great crowd here this afternoon. It’s great to be back, I didn’t enjoy the last half an hour, but in general it’s been a good season, my game’s been trending in the right direction.”
Murphy will play both Kyren Wilson or Stuart Bingham within the quarter-finals.
Robertson revealed he had been affected by an “horrendous bout of flu” within the buildup to the match. “I’ve just been in bed really for a week and a half and Mille [his wife] has done amazingly well, because she’s had it as well, to look after the kids to allow me to get as much rest as possible,” he advised Eurosport.
“I’ve been going to the club and doing about 45 minutes’ [practice], about the most I can do … on a lot of painkillers and was really struggling out there physically. I have to thank the crowd, they kind of gave me something, especially in the 147 attempt. I just wanted to somehow make a maximum and then be happy even with losing.”
Mark Selby, the three-times Masters champion, suffered an early exit as he misplaced 6-2 to the Iranian debutant Hossein Vafaei at Alexandra Palace on Sunday night.
Vafaei isn’t on the earth prime 16, who qualify robotically, however took Zhao Xintong’s place within the draw after the Chinese star turned one of 10 gamers suspended from the tour amid an investigation into match-fixing.
The Iranian made two centuries and additional breaks of 99, 52 and 65 to beat Selby for the third time in succession. In distinction, Selby’s highest break of the night was solely 49 as he suffered a 3rd first-round loss on the Masters within the final 4 years.
Vafaei is the primary Iranian to win a rating event, the primary to play on the Crucible and now the primary to play within the Masters.
“I can’t believe it,” he advised Eurosport. “Am I asleep or awake? Honestly, I can’t believe it. He’s such a tough opponent, he never gives up. He’s such a legend and it’s such a pleasure to share the table with him.
“I’m so proud of myself to beat him again. He’s one of the greatest ambassadors we have so I’m so happy to do the hat-trick against him.”
In the afternoon session there was one other shock with the defending champion, Neil Robertson, knocked out by Shaun Murphy, who held off a spirited fightback from the Australian to win 6-4.
Robertson received the opening body with a break of 73 however Murphy reeled off the subsequent 5 in succession with contributions of 98, 53, 61 and 100, the century coming after Robertson had miscued horribly on the black.
Murphy had the prospect to wrap up victory in a 48-minute seventh body solely to overlook the inexperienced after an excellent pot on the yellow with the remaining and that appeared set to be a turning level.
Robertson made a break of 84 to scale back his deficit and was then on course for a most break of 147 within the ninth body earlier than lacking a troublesome 14th pink into the yellow pocket. The left-hander had the prospect to pressure a decider when Murphy broke down on 54 in body 10, however missed the blue into the center making an attempt to pressure place on the ultimate pink and a relieved Murphy sealed a 6-4 win.
“I was as surprised as anyone to find myself 5-1 ahead,” Murphy advised the BBC. “I played well but of course against Neil you don’t expect to be in that position. I was pushed along by this great crowd here this afternoon. It’s great to be back, I didn’t enjoy the last half an hour, but in general it’s been a good season, my game’s been trending in the right direction.”
Murphy will play both Kyren Wilson or Stuart Bingham within the quarter-finals.
Robertson revealed he had been affected by an “horrendous bout of flu” within the buildup to the match. “I’ve just been in bed really for a week and a half and Mille [his wife] has done amazingly well, because she’s had it as well, to look after the kids to allow me to get as much rest as possible,” he advised Eurosport.
“I’ve been going to the club and doing about 45 minutes’ [practice], about the most I can do … on a lot of painkillers and was really struggling out there physically. I have to thank the crowd, they kind of gave me something, especially in the 147 attempt. I just wanted to somehow make a maximum and then be happy even with losing.”
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