Selby Sinks World No1 In St George's Hill Shock

England's Daryl Selby celebrated his 400th PSA World Tour appearance in epic style, despatching world No.1 Mohamed Elshorbagy in five games on the opening day of main draw action at the 2016 Channel VAS Championship at St George's Hill in Weybridge, England.

Beaten in his previous nine matches by the top-ranked Egyptian, 34-year-old Selby looked to be heading to a tenth successive defeat after falling 2/1 down. The Essex man showed nerves of steel, however, to halt his opponent's momentum in the fourth and draw level - following that up by edging the fifth to wrap up a sensational 13-11, 9-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9 win.

"It's about confidence and belief," said Selby.

"I've always believed I was a top 10 player, but having the confidence to believe that I can play a top five player and win is a whole different kettle of fish.

"I played well and I really am delighted to beat Mohamed because he deserves that world No.1 status. His consistency is without a doubt the best on Tour, and to beat the world No.1 is a special feeling."

New Zealand's Paul Coll was also in inspired form to claim one of the biggest wins of his career against Hong Kong's world No.18 Max Lee, recovering from a game down to defeat the No.8 seed by a 3/2 margin.

World No.33 Coll battled through qualification to reach the main draw, but his tournament looked to be coming to an end after he fell 2/1 behind to the experienced Lee.

The Kiwi responded brilliantly, however, to force errors from his opponent and, with cramp beginning to take hold of Lee in the latter stages of the decider, Coll pressed on to close out a superb 9-11, 11-7, 5-11, 11-5, 11-4 victory to advance to his first ever PSA M100 quarter-final.

"I'm very happy, Max is a quality player, I've been watching him for a few years and I've always thought he had the potential to get into the top 10," said Coll.

"I'm very happy with the win and with the way I stuck in the game. It's one of my best wins for sure, he's in the top 20 and he's been there for a while.

"I was just happy to make the main draw, so everything is just a bonus from now on. It's a good Christmas present already and hopefully I can get better."

Indian No.1 Saurav Ghosal will take on Selby in the last eight after he ended a seven-match losing streak to Spain's former world No.5 Borja Golan.

Golan had spent three months on the sidelines due to a herniated disc, and Ghosal capitalised on the seventh-seeded Spaniard's lack of match fitness as he claimed an 11-5, 11-7, 10-12, 11-8 win despite strong resistance from Golan.

"In my head, I've been working really hard, but the results haven't shown the work that I've put in, and it gets to you mentally, no matter how long you've been on the Tour," explained Ghosal, the world No.22 from Kolkata.

"We all want to win, and we all want to prove ourselves to get higher in the rankings. Unfortunately, it hasn't worked out for me the way I would have liked this year, but I just have to keep working, which is in my control. If I keep doing that then hopefully the results will go my way."

Colombia's world No.13 Miguel Angel Rodriguez was the other player to emerge victorious on day one after he defeated French qualifier Gregoire Marche in straight games to set up a quarter-final clash with Coll.

"It was tough because he is very talented and he's been improving over the last six months," said Rodriguez.

"It's never easy because he's also very fast and he has quick hands. He must be very proud of the way he finished this year, he did a great job. But I came here with a purpose, to win my matches, to be a little bit more aggressive and enjoy it a little bit more."