Mark Selby in huge trouble against Joe O'Connor in World Snooker Championship first round at the Crucible

Updated 21/04/2024 at 14:21 GMT

Mark Selby entered the Crucible as the raging favourite against No. 30 seed Joe O'Connor in their first-round match at the World Snooker Championship on Sunday afternoon but walked out again trailing 7-2 and facing a huge task if he is to recover. Selby's run of mistakes gave O'Connor more than enough chances to move into an imperious position ahead of the match's resumption on Monday afternoon.

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Sunday afternoon at the World Snooker Championship saw the fifth seed Mark Selby face off with No. 30 seed Joe O'Connor in a battle of two men from Leicester.

Despite Selby's heavy favouritism ahead of the match, it was O'Connor who produced a dominant display and swept into an imperious position.

Selby began by pulling up short with 33 and giving an early opening to O'Connor but he handed the initiative right back with just 20 of his own.

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A less than stellar start continued with Selby missing an open red. O'Connor stepped back to the baize and this time put the opening frame away.

Another Selby miss on 38 threatened to open a lane for O'Connor but the younger man missed his starter and Selby's break of 60 was enough to square the match.

O'Connor swung the match back in his favour with a tidy win in the third frame, with Selby little more than an interested observer.

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Crucible debutant O'Connor began the fourth frame with some aggressive play, but the gamble didn't pay off and Selby took over a favourable setup and saw the frame out.

At the mid-session interval, the match was all square at 2-2.

After the resumption of play, Selby was first up but managed only 16 before a risky red didn't pay off. O'Connor stepped up and produced a strong 68 break to take the frame and move into a narrow lead.

It was the same story in the sixth frame, with Selby stuttering after starting well. O'Connor made it 4-2 with a 67.

A slow start to the seventh from O'Connor gave Selby an opportunity that he simply refused to take. A long shot on a red missed well wide after just four points, and O'Connor was back in control. He didn't need to be asked again and swept up the table with a break of 101.

Things were looking dire for Selby and the next frame saw yet another chance wasted.

After opening with 19, O'Connor missed with a red but Selby did likewise with a pink shortly thereafter. A 74 break followed for O'Connor, who took his fourth consecutive frame to leave the No. 5 seed deep in trouble.

It was more of the same in the final frame of the day, with Selby failing to convert a tough cut and opening the door for O'Connor.

Despite a handful of awkward positions, O'Connor swept to a 61 break and the frame. He had taken five consecutive frames and ended the session in a commanding lead.

With the match set to resume on Monday afternoon, Selby has a mountain to climb.