MICHAEL HOLT showed more signs that he is in the best form of his life after he caused a huge upset in the first major ranking of the 2016/17 snooker campaign.

Michael Holt. Picture by Monique Limbos

The Nottingham potter put in an impressive display to beat world champion Mark Selby 4-1 to reach the last 32 stage of the revamped Riga Masters event.

Holt’s victory followed his outstanding win over Neil Robertson in the first round of the World Championship two months ago. He also defied the odds in beating Ronnie O’Sullivan at the World Grand Prix back in March.

And his latest win in the Latvian capital was fully deserved as breaks of 51, 88, 97 and 72 earned him a place in the second round.

A delighted Holt told World Snooker: “I played good. I got in took my chances and had a bit of luck on my side.”

Elsewhere John Astley produced the other big shock of the opening day after he beat world number 11 Joe Perry 4-1.

Neil Robertson and Judd Trump both secured first round wins against Michael Georgiou and Chris Wakelin respectively while there were also wins for Stuart Bingham and John Higgins.

Another eventful match saw former world champion Graeme Dott beat last season’s World Championship semi-finalist Marco Fu 4-3.

Thursday will see the conclusion of the second and third rounds before the tournament comes to an end on Friday.

The winner of the tournament will collect a prize of £37,500.