Mark Selby eliminated from Masters by Xiao Guodong
UK champion Mark Selby was defeated 6-2 at Alexandra Palace on Sunday evening in the first round of the Masters, reports BritPanorama.
Xiao Guodong delivered an impressive performance during the match, which was marked by standout break-building, culminating in a remarkable 118 clearance that secured his place in the quarter-finals.
Making his debut at the prestigious north London venue, Xiao showed no signs of nerves while overcoming one of snooker’s most celebrated figures.
The victory sets up a quarter-final clash with compatriot Wu Yize, who eliminated defending champion Shaun Murphy earlier in the day. The opening day of the 2026 Masters proved historic for Chinese snooker, as two debutants accounted for the removal of major champions from the competition.
Wu’s earlier win over Murphy, who had claimed the title the previous year by defeating Kyren Wilson 10-7, ensures that a new winner will be crowned at this year’s tournament. This dual elimination meant both the reigning Masters champion and the current UK champion exited on the same afternoon.
Selby struggled early on, as his highest contribution reached just 21 points, with the three-time world champion failing to register any points in two of the frames. However, after the interval, he demonstrated his abilities with a century break of 101, winning the fifth frame, followed by a 76 in the sixth to close the gap to 4-2.
The seventh frame proved crucial; Selby initially led before missing a blue shot, an error that allowed Xiao to capitalise with a decisive 118 break to move within one frame of victory.
The final frame featured additional drama as Xiao made several errors despite being poised to win, but Selby’s missed yellow handed the debutant the opportunity to complete a significant first-round victory.
Only last month, Selby had secured a £250,000 prize following his triumph over Judd Trump in the UK Snooker Championship, marking his third title in that competition. This latest defeat highlights the unpredictable nature of elite-level snooker, where even the most established players can find themselves on the back foot against rising talents.
