Mark Selby’s struggle for form in 2018 continued after he suffered a first round defeat in the Players Championship earlier today.

The world number one, who is just weeks away from defending his World Championship crown at the Crucible, could head into the World Championship in rather poor form after he suffered another early exit in a world ranking event.

Since winning the International Championship in November, Selby has made it to the quarter-final stage of a major ranking event JUST ONCE – in the World Grand Prix where he made it to the semi-finals.

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Mark Selby’s 2017/2018 season

Riga Masters – Did not play

China Championship – Last 32 (third round exit)

Paul Hunter Classic – Last 16 (fourth round exit)

World Open – Last 64 (second round exit)

European Masters – Quarter-Final

English Open – Last 32 (third round exit)

 

International Championship – Winner

Champion of Champions – Quarter-Final

Northern Ireland Open – Did not play

Shanghai Masters – Last 16 (fourth round exit)

UK Championship – Last 64 (second round exit)

Scottish Open – Did not play

Masters – Last 16 (first round exit)

German Masters – Last 32 (third round exit)

World Grand Prix – Semi-Final

Welsh Open – Last 64 (second round exit)

Romanian Masters – Last 16 (first round exit)

Players Championship – Last 16 (first round exit)

China Open?

World Championship?

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Selby was beaten 6-3 by Ryan Day who is snooker’s man in form after he completed back to back titles in the past two weeks winning both the Gibraltar Open and the German Masters.

And the three-times world champion now only has the China Open to find back his form before he kick starts his World Championship defence next month.

The Players Championship sees the season’s top 16 stars in all ranking events battle it out for a top prize of £125,000.

Meanwhile, Ronnie O’Sullivan eased into the quarter-finals with a 6-1 win over Graeme Dott. O’Sullivan, chasing his ranking event title of the season, will next face Ding Junhui who beat Mark Allen 6-2.

Neil Robertson will next meet the winner of Judd Trump and Stephen Maguire in the quarter-finals after the Australian won five frames on the bounce to beat Luca Brecel 6-2.

There have also been wins for Shaun Murphy and Mark Williams.