Belfast's Joe Swail became the first seed to fall at the Embassy World Championship after letting slip a 5-4 overnight lead against Joe Perry. Swail, a semi-finalist at The Crucible for the last two years, lost the first four frames of this afternoon's second session as the world number 27 notched breaks of 78, 49 and 66 to edge in front.
The Ulsterman pulled one back with an 82, but there was to be no comeback for Swail in the manner of his amazing second-round success over Mark Williams last year, however, for Perry clinched a meeting with Peter Ebdon or Michael Judge by taking the next two frames to win 10-6.
"I always tend to struggle in the first round here and usually I manage to get over it, but not this time," said the 32-year-old. "I prepared well, practising for nine hours a day, and it's very frustrating. I made so many mistakes and got punished for them."
Seven-times former champion Stephen Hendry opened his quest for the title by racing 6-1 ahead of 19-year-old Shaun Murphy, but the youngster gave himself some hope for tomorrow's deciding session by reducing his arrears to 6-3.
Dublin's Ken Doherty is currently trailing Stuart Bingham 4-5.
Filed by Shane Murray
