MARK SELBY FACES CRUCIBLE EXIT THREAT FROM HOMETOWN RIVAL

In a stunning turn of events at the Crucible Theatre, Mark Selby is on the brink of his worst ever exit from the World Snooker Championship at the hands of hometown hero Joe O’Connor.

O’Connor, a 28-year-old debutant from Leicester, has shocked the snooker world by taking a commanding 7-2 lead over the four-time world champion Selby. With just three frames needed on Monday to secure victory, O’Connor is on the cusp of claiming the biggest scalp of his career.

Selby, 40, who suffered a disappointing first-round exit in 2012, is facing the prospect of another early departure from the tournament. The Jester of Leicester had previously threatened to quit the sport if his poor form continued, and a defeat to O’Connor would be a bitter blow.

O’Connor’s impressive performance included breaks of 122 and 101, putting him on the verge of equaling the record for a Crucible rookie. Despite a minor mishap before the start of the match, O’Connor has shown composure and skill beyond his years.

Meanwhile, former world champion Judd Trump kicked off his campaign with a solid 10-5 victory over Hossein Vafaei. Although lacking in century breaks, Trump remains a strong contender for the title and could potentially face Ronnie O’Sullivan in the semi-finals.

The drama continues at the Crucible as Selby and O’Connor prepare to battle it out for a spot in the next round, with the winner set to face either Kyren Wilson or Dominic Dale. Snooker fans are in for a thrilling conclusion to this exciting matchup between experience and youth.