King hands Selby shock exit at snooker worlds

SHEFFIELD, England, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Mark King battled into the second round of the World Snooker Championship by upsetting last year's runner-up Mark Selby 10-8 on Tuesday.

King is now through to the last 16 of snooker's most prestigious event for the fifth time in his career and he will aim to reach the quarterfinals for the first time when he plays Peter Ebdon next.

The left-hander trailed 5-4 overnight but rattled the 2007 runner-up by taking the first four frames on Tuesday morning.

Selby, who was rated second favorite for the title before the event started, belatedly rediscovered his potting form to reduce the deficit to 8-7 only to miss an easy but crucial black that allowed King to close in on victory.

King capitalised with a fine 116 for 9-7. Selby pulled one back and led 23-0 in the 18th frame, but King only needed one chance as he rolled in a 71 to cross the finish line.

"It's a little bit disappointing but I don't think over the two days I've really performed," said Selby.

"I've had a great season and won two tournaments so I can't complain but obviously it's a shame not to be able to come back here and do well."