Hossein Vafaei claims scalp of three-time champion Mark Selby on Masters debut

Hossein Vafaei marked his Masters debut with an impressive 6-2 victory over three-time champion Mark Selby.

Selby was a tad fortunate to head into the interval level at 2-2 after some laborious opening frames – but just as a late-night finish beckoned at Alexandra Palace, Vafaei stirred into life as his aggressive shot-making paid dividends.

Vafaei is a positive player by nature, and took on an ambitious red at the start of the opening frame. It did not drop and allowed Selby to eke out an early advantage. He built that lead to 47 points and was a strong favourite to close it out. He is a master of such situations, but did not close the door and Vafaei, the 94th player to compete in the event, picked off a superb clearance of 52 to get in front.

Selby got in via a fine red from distance in the second and built a 49-point lead. As in the opener, he was not able to close it out in a single visit.

Despite having a losing record against Selby, it is only a narrow one and Vafaei won their latest meeting – at this season’s UK Championship. He does not fear the multiple world champion and after Selby missed a tough black from a tight angle at the start of the third, Vafaei made him pay with his 13th century of the season, a 108, to edge back in front.

Vafaei had a chance to take a lead into the interval, but missed a red to bottom right and Selby closed it out to draw level after four frames.

The frame after the interval began with a bout of safety, which saw Selby fashion a chance. But he missed a red from mid-range and paid a chunky price as Vafaei put together a superb break of 99 to move ahead for the third time in the match.

With the pace of the contest rather pedestrian, the fans crammed into the London arena could have been forgiven for worrying about their bedtimes when the reds hung over the bottom right pocket in the sixth, with Selby extending the torment by turning down a potting opportunity in favour of playing safe.

And so it was Vafaei who opted for the aggressive shot, getting the run of the balls before eventually pinching the cagiest of frames for a 4-2 lead.

Selby got in during the seventh and looked good to peg his opponent back, only to run out of position and then drop an inexplicable error when playing safe that allowed Vafaei to swerve home a red and embark on a break of 65 to move one away.

With that, Selby’s resistance disintegrated. Vafaei soon was amongst the balls after a tepid break from Selby, albeit only making three, before making no mistake with his second opportunity as he delighted the crowd with a 104 break to book his spot in the last eight.

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