Snooker: Loser Stevens Fumes After Being Ordered to Keep His Bow Tie on

Matthew Stevens was angry after losing at the Welsh Open but it was not defeat that had him fuming - it was the fact that the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association had refused him permission to play without a bow tie.

Stevens, twice a World Championship runner-up but struggling to hold his place in the top 16, said: "I've had flu. My balance was all over the place. At times I couldn't see. It's the first time I've ever asked for anything in 10 years. It's especially disappointing because permission has been given to other players in similar circumstances." Stephen Hendry was allowed to dispense with his bow tie in the Malta Cup two weeks ago after he was seriously ill during the night.

The 29-year-old Welshman lost 5-1 to Mark Selby who secured a place in the last 16 with a high pot success rate of 98% and breaks of 65, 64, 133, 80 and 68.

Even more disappointing for Welsh hopes was the 5-0 defeat of Ryan Day, runner up in the Malta Cup, by the Dubliner Michael Judge.

"I potted a couple of long balls at the start but lost the first frame which I should have won," said Day trying to explain his flat performance. "After that I couldn't seem to find anything." The 26-year-old's highest break of the afternoon was 24. Judge exploited most of his opportunities and finished with a clearance of 137.

Stephen Lee failed to clear the first hurdle in his title defence losing 5-2 to Nigel Bond, the 1995 world runner-up who has been enjoying a modest resurgence in the last year following several seasons in obscurity. "I still love the game. I can't really see myself doing anything else," said the 41-year-old from Darley Dale.