MARK SELBY and Stephen Maguire were the big name casualties on the first night of the 888casino Shootout in Blackpool on Friday.
Selby, the world no.2, was the pre-tournament favourite but potted only one ball in losing 65-1 to China’s Cao Yupeng.
Maguire, ranked fifth, was beaten 72-15 by Liam Highfield while defending champion Martin Gould bowed out 40-14 to Zhang Anda.
Alfie Burden made the highest break, 96, during his 103-4 defeat of Paul Davison. Michael white compiled a run of 93 in beating Barry Pinches 93-1.
There was controversy in the all-Stoke affair between Jamie Cope and Dave Harold when referee Marcel Eckhart incorrectly called a foul on Harold, claiming a ball had failed to touch a cushion when the former Asian Open champion played a safety shot, even though he had in fact taken the cueball off two cushions.
Photographs by Monique Limbos.