IAN Hurdman, who gained his first Benson and Hedges Snooker Championship win since 1995 in the previous round, came unstuck against teenager Mark Selby in round three last night.
The Droitwich professional went down 5-3 to his 18-year-old Leicester rival and admitted: "I guess Mark played the big shots a bit better."
Hurdman looked to have turned the contest his way after trailing three times early on by making a 126 clearance to level at 3-3. But Selby allowed Hurdman just six points in the closing two frames.
"I didn't get too many opportunities towards the end," agreed 28-year-old Hurdman. "But overall I was happy with my performance and I can look forward to playing in my next event."
Bewdley's Richard King, after his opening 5-0 win over Dutchman Karan Chand, tackles world number 66 Paul Wykes later today in an attempt to reach round four.
Worcester's Dave Finbow is not playing in Mansfield. The 33-year-old informed tournament organisers he couldn't play due to a back injury giving Gareth Coppack a walk-over.
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