Jetlagged Mark Selby battles through in German Masters

The English star had been taking part in a pool tournament in Shanghai earlier in the week, and was back in action on the larger tables of snooker less than 24 hours after touching down in Germany.

And it seemed for a while that Anthony McGill would take advantage of the reigning World Champion's tiredness as he flagged badly after running up a 4-1 lead.

McGill drew level with breaks of 66, 88 and 65 to square the match and get within touching distance of an upset win over the world number four.

But Selby came through a final frame that turned into a battle of attrition that lasted over half an hour, clinching the match and making the second round.

"The way I was feeling I knew it was going to be a scrap," said Selby, who now meets Peter Ebdon in the last 16.

"I didn't play snooker for two weeks, then I only had half an hour practice today. The balls in pool are bigger so it was a matter of getting the feeling back for snooker.

"After three or four frames I felt better. Hopefully I can get some sleep before my next match."

Ebdon earned that match against Selby by beating John Higgins 5-2, making a break of 133 en route to a fine win.

"It's a great result for me to beat a player of John's calibre," said Ebdon.

"My eldest son Tristan celebrated his 18th birthday today so I was determined to win!"

Judd Trump and Neil Robertson also made it through, whitewashing Michael Holt and Fergal O'Brien respectively.

NEIL ROBERTSON 5 - 0 FERGAL O'BRIEN

XIAO GUODONG 5 - 4 LIAM HIGHFIELD

STEPHEN MAGUIRE 5 - 3 DAVID GILBERT

MARK KING 5 - 3 BARRY HAWKINS

JUDD TRUMP 5 - 0 MICHAEL HOLT

MARTIN GOULD 5 - 3 ASHLEY CARTY

JOHN HIGGINS 2 - 5 PETER EBDON

ANTHONY MCGILL 4 - 5 MARK SELBY