English Open snooker 2021 - Mark Selby battles to victory over Sanderson Lam, Shaun Murphy and Stuart Bingham also win

Updated 01/11/2021 at 19:26 GMT

World No 2 Mark Selby looked to be cruising against Sanderson Lam after a strong start, but he needed to dig deep to come through and reach the second round. Judd Trump is safely through while Shaun Murphy and Stuart Bingham also won. Stream the English Open live and on demand on discovery+

‘Beautiful’ – World champion Selby shows his class at English Open

Mark Selby was made to work hard for a 4-2 victory over amateur Sanderson Lam in the first round of the English Open.

Selby, who won the tournament in 2019 and made the semi-finals last year, looked set for a comfortable win as he reeled off breaks of 90, 113 and 73.

But the world No 2 lost his way and will be relieved to come through after a lengthy tussle.

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Selby looked in good form at the start of the match, having won 12 of his previous 13 meetings against Lam.

A fine red down the side cushion set up a century break in the second frame and he extended his lead to 3-0 with a break of 73.

But just as the finish line seemed in sight for Selby a missed red on the rest gave Lam the chance to get on the board and a break of 53 saw him take the fourth frame.

A few errors from Selby gave Lam an opportunity to make it 3-2, but the world No 2 eventually rediscovered his form to advance after a scrappy sixth frame.

‘That's the shot of the day so far - no question!’ – Selby produces magic on day 1 of English Open

Selby spoke about the shot-of-the-tournament contender in his post-match interview in the Eurosport studio with Rachel Casey and Alan McManus.

"I could probably be there all day and never pot that again," said Selby. "I think I won the frame off it too - I think I made 100 off of it too!

"I mean, if I pot that and then miss the black, then the red counts for nothing, you know? It would not even make the shot of the tournament but because I've won the frame off it obviously magnifies the red I suppose."