The Xingpai China Open in Beijing has begun with a big shock as the defending champion Mark Selby was defeated 6-3 by the world number 92 Craig Steadman.

Selby will be very disappointed after his hopes of winning this event for a third consecutive year were shattered. 

Congratulations to Craig he outplayed the world number 2 with breaks of 77, 108, and 86 to secure the biggest win of his season. Selby’ s defeat also means that Ronnie O’Sullivan will be ranked number 1 going into the World championships later this month. 

Snookerfans very own Kurt Maflin is also out after losing in a decider to Ali Carter, it’s a hard defeat to take for Maflin after leading 4-2 and 5-4 but now his attention will turn to the qualifiers for the World Championships where he will be 3 matches away from the Crucible. 

Anthony McGill landed a good victory after battling back from 3-1 down against the vastly experienced Nigel Bond.

McGill obviously relishing from his new practice facility in Glasgow that he shares with fellow pros Stephen Maguire and John Higgins who both kick off their first round matches tomorrow,  if Maguire beats Xu Si he will face stable mate McGill in the second round.

By Emma Maflin