Mark Selby has vowed to return better than ever next year after a first-round defeat to Joe Perry at the Betfred World Snooker Championship.

A year ago the Leicester potter was the King of the Crucible, celebrating a third world crown, but this time he hardly had time to unpack following a 10-4 defeat on day one.

It brings the curtain down on a strange season for Selby, who has won two titles but too often been found wanting in the major tournaments.

And this was no exception, with Perry dominant from ball one of their match in Sheffield in a one-sided win.

“I have had a great run here. I can’t complain but I need a good rest now and will come back next year even better,” Selby said.

“Until you get your first round out of the way, you don’t feel like you are in the tournament so to go out before it has even started is disappointing.

“Performance-wise the season is not up to standard but then I have won two tournaments. Inconsistent is what I would say.”

By Selby’s high standards there will inevitably be a tinge of disappointment after a poor return in all three of the snooker’s triple crown events – with a last-64 loss at the UK Championship followed by a first-round defeat at The Masters.

However, there was little he could go against a rampant Perry, who moved 4-0 ahead early on and maintained that steady gap through to the end – despite a brief wobble when Selby could have closed to 8-5.

It was a classy display from the Wisbech potter, who had to qualify just to reach the first round after dropping outside the top 16 in the world.

That extra match practice paid off in a controlled win against Selby, where he built leads of 4-0 and 7-2 on route to victory to set up a second-round match with either Mark Allen or Liam Highfield.

But any suggestion that those three extra matches may catch up with him have been emphatically dismissed.

“I don’t think fatigue matters at all in snooker, the fact I have won three matches makes me high on confidence and that will always override a bit of fatigue,” he said.

“Maybe as the tournament progresses, it plays a part but it is a problem I would love to have.

“It is up there with one of my best wins. When you beat the world champion and world number one anywhere is great, but with it being here makes it extra special.

“I know my game is in good order. But come Thursday, it means nothing because I have eight frames to play.”

Watch the snooker World Championship LIVE on Eurosport and Eurosport Player with Colin Murray and analysis from Ronnie O’Sullivan, Jimmy White and Neal Foulds.