Welsh Open: Chadha knocks out defending champion Wilson in first round

India’s Ishpreet Singh Chadha produced one of the performances of his career to knock out defending champion Gary Wilson in the first round of the Welsh Open.

Chadha held his nerve in the deciding frame to take his place in the last 32 at Llandudno’s Venue Cymru.

Wilson, who admitted to “not feeling well” post-match, recovered from 2-1 down to lead 3-2, but Chadha cleared up in the final two frames.

“It feels great,” Chadha said, “I think he (Wilson) wasn’t on it from the start of the game and then went berserk when he was down, that caught me offguard.

“I’m just happy I could play well from [being] down.

“He’s always a tough player to beat, I am just happy to get through.”

Earlier in day one, former Welsh Open champions Mark Williams and Mark Selby eased their way into the second round.

Williams made three century breaks in his 4-1 victory over Florian Nuessle of Austria, while Selby beat compatriot Hayden Pinhey 4-2.

“Surprising more than anything, three centuries in a best of seven doesn’t happen to me that often,” said Williams, who played down his chances of becoming a first Welsh winner since his 1999 triumph.

“If I haven’t won it for the past 26 years, I don’t think I’m going to win it on the 27th,” said the three-time world champion.

“I’ll try my best, but we haven’t had a Welsh winner before, only myself, it’s a shame really, it’s just how tough the game is.”