Two-time UK Championship winner Mark Selby lost in the first round of the 2024 event as fellow Englishman Jack Lisowski produced a superb fightback at the York Barbican on Sunday evening.
Lisowski, 21st in the world rankings, was 3-0 behind and had only scored six points as Selby dominated the early stages with two stunning centuries.
But Lisowski got back into the match and, aided by breaks of 55, 63, 100, 70 and 61, won six of the next seven frames to take the victory 6-4 and set up a last-16 tie with Ali Carter.
A shock did not look on the cards when Selby scored 329 points in the opening three frames, with Lisowski, who battled through two qualifying rounds, only potting a red and a blue.
However, Selby felt a failure to go 4-0 in front proved critical.
“I played well to go 3-0 then I misjudged a red in the next frame and that was probably the turning point of the match,” said Selby.
“If I had gone 4-0 I would’ve broken the back of the match, but Jack played well and I know he is capable of that. When his mind is right, he is capable of beating anyone.
“I feel my game is OK and I’m losing to great players.”
Selby was the fifth seed and his defeat comes after top seed and reigning champion Ronnie O’Sullivan was beaten 6-4 by Barry Hawkins on Saturday afternoon.
“It’s all a bit of a blur,” said Lisowski, who plays Ali Carter in the last 16.
“I played well, good safety and good scoring. Wherever I go I play quite risky snooker so the crowd always wants to see something and make a game of it.
“There’s something about the crowd at York. It’s really grown here and it’s turned into an incredible tournament and the crowd are a part of that.”
