Iranian snooker player Hossein Vafaei marked his British Masters debut with a 6-2 opening round victory over three-time champion Mark Selby on Sunday.

Vafaei, who took Zhao Xintong's place in the draw after the Chinese player became one of 10 players suspended amid an investigation into match-fixing, made two centuries and further breaks of 99, 52 and 65 to beat Selby for the third time in succession.

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"I can't believe it," 28-year-old Vafaei, Iran's first snooker professional, told Eurosport.

"He's such a tough opponent, he never gives up. He's such a legend and it's such a pleasure to share the table with him.

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"I'm so proud of myself to beat him again. He's one of the greatest ambassadors we have so I'm so happy to do the hat-trick against him."