Defending champion Mark Selby (L) of England and Mark King of England watch the balls during their match on the first day of 2011's Snooker Masters held at the Wembley Arena in London, Britain, Jan. 9, 2011. (Xinhua/Zeng Yi)

 

Mark King knocked out defending champion Mark Selby in the opening match at the Masters on Sunday, advancing into the quarterfinals of the most prestigious snooker invitation event.

Selby, 27, started the match at the Wembley Arena comfortably by winning the first two frames, but King hit back with a 139 total clearance in the third frame before taking the fourth frame for 2-2.

Then, the world No. 6 Selby and the 16th seed King took two frames each to tie at 4-4, but the left-handed King managed to wrap it up by hitting well in the last two frames.

In the other duel on Sunday, Peter Ebdon needed almost five hours to edge Ali Carter 6-5.

China's top player Ding Junhui is going to play with two-time champion Mark Williams on Monday before John Higgins locks horns with Graeme Dott.