• Welsh Open

World No. 1 Selby humbled at Welsh Open

Mark Selby was beaten in rapid fashion by Joe Perry © Getty Images

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World No. 1 Mark Selby was unceremoniously dumped out of the Welsh Open on Wednesday, losing 4-0 to Joe Perry.

In a first-to-four-frames encounter, last season's beaten finalist Selby was expected to cruise past Perry into the next stage of the competition.

However, the former champion was put under severe pressure from the opening frame, and Perry never relinquished control. He closed out the contest in fitting fashion, amassing a 111 break to complete a humbling defeat for the world's top player.

"It has been a while since I played like that at a venue," Perry said. "I played Mark in Germany a couple of weeks ago. He beat me 5-2 and took every half chance that came his way. I knew I would have to play well today, although I was surprised that he didn't take his chances this time."

Also victorious during the afternoon session was Tom Ford, who defeated Ricky Walden 4-1.

Judd Trump battled back from the brink to book his place in round two with a 4-3 win over Dominic Dale. Dale produced some sizzling early play and was 3-1 up at one stage. He had chances to clinch victory in the fifth and sixth frames, but failed to take them and Trump took the final three to claim the win.

After losing the opener, Trump crafted three snookers in the second frame to get back in the hunt, but Dale - who had been on the rack in a 15-minute safety battle - knocked in a brilliant long red to help him move 2-0 ahead.

Trump hit back to take the third but a stunning 114 took Dale to within one frame of the match. Dale had a chance in the fifth but lost position when well placed and Trump stepped in with a solid break to cut the deficit. It was a similar story in the next and after levelling, Trump knocked in a fine half-century to secure victory.

He then accused Dale of slow play, telling worldsnooker.com: "Players are changing their game to play slower against me. Dominic was too slow for himself and it caught him out towards the end. He usually goes for his shots but he took no chances today. Some players have a game plan to slow me down and hope I lash out. A couple of years ago I would have panicked in that match, but I showed patience today."

Andrew Higginson knocked in a century break during his 4-2 win over Michael Wasley and he will face Trump in the next round.

Elsewhere, Stuart Bingham hit a brilliant 127 during his 4-0 mauling of Craig Steadman and his reward is a meeting with Neil Robertson in round two. Ding Junhui was in imperious form, crushing Mark King 4-0, to book a second round clash with Mark Allen.

The evening session saw Robert Milkins stun Mark Williams 4-1, while Graeme Dott was a 4-2 winner over Fergal O'Brien.

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