LLANDUDNO, Wales — The 2025 Welsh Open snooker tournament was rocked by a seismic first-round upset on Monday as defending champion Mark Selby was sensationally knocked out by China’s Jiang Jun, losing a tense final-frame decider 4-3 at Venue Cymru.
The result sends shockwaves through the tournament and the wider snooker world, abruptly ending Selby’s quest for a record-extending fifth Welsh Open title. For Jiang Jun, the 24-year-old from Shanghai, this represents the most significant victory of his young career, defeating one of the sport’s most formidable match-players and a four-time world champion on the big stage.
A Clash of Styles and Generations
The match was a fascinating tactical duel from the outset. Selby, known as "The Jester from Leicester" for his pinpoint safety and relentless grinding style, sought to control the tempo. Jiang, a rising talent known for his fluent, attacking approach, showed remarkable composure in refusing to be drawn into a purely defensive battle.
The early frames were shared, with Selby crafting a typically gritty 68 break to take the lead before Jiang responded with a superb century, a 107, to level at 1-1. The pattern continued, with neither player able to establish a two-frame cushion. The match inevitably headed towards a nail-biting conclusion, poised at 3-3.
The Decisive Final Frame
The seventh and final frame encapsulated the drama of the entire contest. Both players had opportunities under immense pressure. Selby, the master of clutch moments, built a promising lead but missed a crucial red to the centre pocket when leading 48-24. Jiang, showing nerves of steel, stepped in with the match on the line.
What followed was a clearance of immense maturity. Navigating a tricky table, Jiang potted a series of pressure balls, deftly managing the cue ball to keep the break alive. He eventually sealed the frame and the match with a cool 65 clearance, punching the air in a rare show of emotion as the final ball dropped.
Post-Match Reactions: Shock and Elation
A visibly disappointed Selby was gracious in defeat but acknowledged a below-par performance. "All credit to Jiang, he played brilliantly and held himself together fantastically well in that last frame," Selby told reporters. "I had my chance and didn’t take it. He punished me, and that’s what happens at this level. I’m obviously gutted, but you have to tip your hat to him."
For the victorious Jiang, the moment was one of pure elation and validation. "To beat Mark Selby, the defending champion and one of the greatest players, it is my biggest win, for sure," he said through a translator. "I tried not to think about who I was playing, just to focus on my own game. In the last frame, my heart was beating so fast, but I kept telling myself to believe and to take one ball at a time."
Context and Implications of the Upset
This result is more than just a first-round shock. It has significant ramifications for the tournament and the season’s rankings:
- Selby’s Title Defense Ends: The Jester’s remarkable reign in Wales, which included titles in 2008, 2018, 2023, and 2024, is over. His exit wide opens the draw for other contenders.
- Jiang’s Breakthrough: While Jiang has shown promise on the tour, this is a statement victory that will massively boost his confidence and profile.
- Ranking Race Impact: The early loss is a blow to Selby’s hopes of climbing back into the world’s top 16 ahead of the Crucible, while the ranking points are a huge boost for Jiang.
- Chinese Snooker’s Strength: The result underscores the incredible depth of talent coming from China, adding Jiang’s name to a list that includes Ding Junhui, Zhang Anda, and Si Jiahui.
A Wider Trend of Early Exits
Selby’s shock exit follows a pattern of defending champions falling early in recent ranking events, highlighting the increased competitiveness and unpredictability on the modern World Snooker Tour. The pressure of being the hunted, rather than the hunter, seems to be intensifying in an era where any player in the 128-man draw is capable of a giant-killing performance.
Looking Ahead
Jiang Jun now moves into the second round, where he will face Scotland’s Scott Donaldson. The weight of expectation will now shift; can he back up this monumental win and make a deep run in the tournament? For Selby, attention will turn to regrouping for the upcoming World Grand Prix and, ultimately, his primary goal: a fifth World Championship title in Sheffield.
The final word goes to the victor, whose performance captivated the Llandudno crowd. "This gives me so much belief," Jiang stated. "I know I can compete with the very best. Now I must prove it was not just one match, but that I belong here consistently." On the evidence of his stunning defeat of Mark Selby, he most certainly does.
