Selby opens against under-fire O’Brien

Mark Selby will launch the defence of his Betfred World Championship title tomorrow against an opponent accused of playing anti-snooker to reach the Crucible.

Ireland’s Fergal O’Brien was part of a world record on Wednesday night when he won the longest frame in the history of professional snooker.

He needed two hours, three minutes and 41 seconds to win a decider against David Gilbert and book his place in the main draw.

Gilbert was upset by the ponderous tactics employed by O’Brien and, asked if it felt gruelling, he said: “It’s worse than that – that’s not snooker.”

O’Brien responded to the criticism by saying: “Did I overplay shots, did I double-check stuff? Probably yes, but such was the pressure.”

Five-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan will face Wallsend cueman Gary Wilson in his opener while Scot John Higgins, four times a winner of the title, begins against Martin Gould.

An all-Scottish clash sees Anthony McGill set a tough task against qualifier Stephen Maguire, while Graeme Dott plays Ali Carter.

First round draw: Mark Selby v Fergal O’Brien, Ryan Day v Xiao Guodong, Neil Robertson v Noppon Saengkham, Marco Fu v Luca Brecel, Shaun Murphy v Yan Bingtao, Ronnie O’Sullivan v Gary Wilson, Liang Wenbo v Stuart Carrington, Ding Junhui v Zhou Yuelong, Stuart Bingham v Peter Ebdon, Kyren Wilson v David Grace, Mark Allen v Jimmy Robertson, John Higgins v Martin Gould, Barry Hawkins v Tom Ford, Ali Carter v Graeme Dott, Anthony McGill v Stephen Maguire, Judd Trump v Rory McLeod.