In a stunning upset at the Crucible Theatre, Joe O'Connor secured a memorable 10-6 victory over his training partner and mentor, the Leicester snooker legend Mark Selby. The victory marked a significant milestone in O'Connor's career, not only for the magnitude of the win but also for the symbolic passing of the torch from one Leicester snooker great to his apprentice.

Reflecting on the match, O'Connor spoke candidly about the influence Selby has had on his journey in the sport, stating, "He’s inspired me to get to where I am today. Maybe you can look back in a few years’ time and think this was the moment. But I obviously don’t want Mark [Selby] to retire."

Selby opted not to definitively address swirling rumours of his retirement, instead suggesting that he would take time to reflect and consider his future plans over the summer break following this defeat. 

The encounter held additional weight for O'Connor, as it unfolded on his Crucible debut. Rather than succumbing to the pressure of facing his mentor in such a pivotal moment, O'Connor embraced the opportunity, recognising the significance of the occasion. 

"I looked at it as more of an opportunity, and a massive occasion. On my debut, I just tried to relish it, rather than look at the negatives of one of us going out in the first round. One of us is guaranteed to win, and fortunately that was me,” he told SportsBoom.com. 

Knowing Selby's renowned ability to mount comebacks from seemingly insurmountable deficits, O'Connor approached the match with meticulous preparation. Their personal relationship provided invaluable insight into Selby's mindset and tactics, enabling O'Connor to anticipate and capitalise on pivotal moments in the match.

"I knew I was going to be facing a different Mark [Selby] than I did yesterday," O'Connor acknowledged. "It is classic for him. He’s known for coming back from long deficits, and I knew it was coming. But I prepared myself for it and took all the chances I got. I know him better than anyone else."

Image credit: WST