How Mark Selby met his match as Welsh Open title defence crumbles with shock first-round defeat to world No. 81 Jiang Jun
Published 23/02/2026 at 21:16 GMT
Mark Selby looked imperious when he knocked in two century clearances in the opening three frames of his Welsh Open first-round clash against world No. 81 Jiang Jun. However, the Chinese cueman turned on the style with an impressive comeback, as he forged from two frames behind to take an unlikely victory over the defending champion in Llandudno, and set up a meeting with compatriot Yuan Sijun.
'Huge shock' as world No. 81 Jun dumps defending champion Selby out of Welsh Open
Video credit: TNT Sports
Mark Selby surrendered a two-frame lead as he suffered a shock first-round exit to Jiang Jun at the Welsh Open, bringing a premature end to his title defence.
Few would have expected Selby to be making his third first-round departure in five years from the competition after he stormed into a 3-1 lead, but a strong show of fight from his rival, with a smattering of mistakes, contributed to a lengthy afternoon to forget for the two-time Welsh Open winner.
Speaking to TNT Sports before the match, Selby spoke of his tiredness during last week's Players Championship, saying he felt the amount of snooker he had been playing this season was catching up with him. He also said there was "a bit of added pressure" coming into the Welsh Open as the defending champion.
But he looked to have put both the fatigue and the weight of expectation behind him as he rattled home two fantastic century clearances - 123 and 137 - either side of Jiang's 77 break to take a 2-1 lead, and enjoyed a 100% pot success in the opening three frames.
In an attritional fourth frame, Selby then showcased his renowned battling qualities to pull within touching distance of victory and a place in the second round. But it soon became apparent that the afternoon's action would be far from straightforward.
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Selby 'very impressive' as he dispatches second century in three frames
Video credit: TNT Sports
Jiang, the world No. 81 who last year reached the International Championship round-of-16 and Scottish Open quarter-finals, began to make life awkward for four-time world champion Selby - with his unconventional but intriguing style of play coming to the fore.
Known for his careful, considered approach, Selby is often seen as one of the more measured players among snooker’s elite. Jiang was even more methodical on Monday, poring over his shots, with both players recording average shot times of over 30 seconds.
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Jiang's average shot time of 33.7 seconds exceeded Selby's by over three seconds. But from the fifth frame onwards, each of his calculated efforts seemed to pay dividends, as he stroked home some excellent pots, and returned to safety when needed.
Selby looked increasingly despondent in his chair as Jiang took a 28-1 lead in the deciding frame, having knocked in 52 and 65 breaks to draw level.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
"I think he’s been put out of his stride, the way Jiang Jun has been playing," commentator Joe Johnson said on TNT Sports' coverage of the Welsh Open. "Yes he’s been playing slowly, but he hasn’t been missing. And that can be very upsetting."
With his pot success having plummeted, Selby looked to claw his way back but could not compile a meaningful contribution, as Jiang completed perhaps the greatest victory of his career thus far.
"Every credit to him," Dave Hendon said on commentary. "He clearly plays the game his way, and today it’s worked."
Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the Welsh Open, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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