James Cahill on his way to a stunning win over Mark Selby
James Cahill on his way to a stunning win over Mark Selby

Amateur James Cahill beats Mark Selby at UK Championship


World number one Mark Selby was sent crashing out of the UK Championship by 22-year-old amateur James Cahill in one of the tournament's greatest shocks.

Cahill, who dropped off the tour in 2017 and is currently without a ranking, stormed into a 4-0 lead before wrapping up a 6-3 first-round victory with a stunning long pink.

The Blackpool player had beaten Ding Junhui on his way to the fourth round of the same tournament four years ago but subsequently considered quitting the sport after a streak of poor results.

Cahill said: "I felt a bit of pressure out there and I just thought I had to go for my shots because if you don't go for your shots against Mark Selby, you're never going to win. I've had some difficult times but I'm convinced I'm good enough to compete with the best and I think I've showed that. Now I've got to shift my focus and concentrate on the next round."

Selby described his own performance as "rubbish" and was at a loss to explain a display which leaves his top ranking in jeopardy, with Mark Williams - who beat Adam Duffy 6-2 - set to take over if he goes on to win the title.

"I had some chances but everything just kept falling awkwardly," said Selby. "I'm devastated and it feels weird - I just couldn't get myself up for the match and I felt really flat out there."


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