A six-time world champion in his own right, just one behind O’Sullivan and Hendry’s joint record, Davis had this to say about Selby: “He’s probably the most underrated player in the game by the general public who don’t watch enough snooker to realise how talented he is.

“I think he’s top three standard ever. Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins and Mark Selby. The actual standard. Mark Williams is in there as well. But he can produce an astonishing standard; relentless stuff and once he’s in the zone, what a player.

“But as we know, getting in the zone for this best-of-19 first round, which seems incredibly short a distance compared to the 25, which is your reward, it’s tough out there, you can panic.”

“As we know, getting in the zone for this best-of-19 first round, which seems incredibly short a distance compared to the 25, which is your reward, it’s tough out there, you can panic.”

Hendry, who counts Davis amongst his closest friends, is level with O’Sullivan when it comes to World Championship victories, with both men having lifted the coveted title seven times.

O’Sullivan, 50, swept the first five frames and heads into the second session with a 7-2 lead, requiring just three more frames to progress when the match continues this afternoon.

Higgins got his Crucible campaign underway on Tuesday, with the four-time world champion dispatching Ali Carter 10-7.

Selby is chasing a fifth world title this year, taking on Jak Jones in the first round, with 22-year-old Chinese star Wu Yize lying in wait in the second round for the winner.

It was an appointment that felt strange at the time and has transpired to be just that ever since. Rosenior’s sacking feels inevitable, but who can Chelsea turn to next? Express Sport have picked out five names who could be brought in to try and fix the current situation.

A former Chelsea player, but not one that too many people will remember. Felipe Luis spent one season at Stamford Bridge (the 2014/15 league-winning campaign), but since retiring, he’s enjoyed a successful start to management in Brazil. So much so, despite an average of one trophy every 14 games across his spell as Flamengo manager, the Brazilian outfit sacked him for reportedly speaking to Chelsea about the vacant managerial position following Enzo Maresca’s departure.

It’s over two months since Oliver Glanser announced his imminent departure from Crystal Palace, but we’re still none the wiser as to where he’s going next. Chelsea wouldn’t have been on his radar when making that decision, but what if it might be now? The Austrian might be the straight talker the west Londoners need to fix their current plight. It could be tough to prise him away from Palace’s European journey, however.

Another member of Chelsea’s 2014/15 title-winning side, and another to have taken the managerial world by storm. Cesc Fabregas has Como on the brink of European qualification, having excelled with the Serie A side since taking over. The Spaniard has been linked with big jobs across the continent, but what about a return to a place where he’s already loved by the fans? He’d certainly have the supporters onside from the off, which isn’t necessarily something you could’ve said about Rosenior.

At least he wouldn’t have to move far! Marco Silva has done a splendid job at Chelsea’s local rivals, Fulham, but he’s another manager being tipped to make the step up to a ‘bigger’ club in the near future. The Portuguese tactician has certainly shown he’s adept at getting the most out of a squad, so perhaps he’s one to look at.

Third time lucky? Frank Lampard’s managerial stock is perhaps the highest it’s ever been after guiding Coventry City to the Championship title. His first spell at Chelsea ended in a sacking, while he returned for a few matches towards the end of the 2022/23 season on an interim basis. Maybe the stars are aligning for yet another return…