Four time world champion Mark Selby arrived in Sheffield determined to erase memories of last year’s shock defeat to Jak Jones.
Instead, the Jester from Leicester suffered another early exit, falling 10-7 to qualifier Ben Woollaston in a marathon opener that stretched past midnight.
Selby never led, and tellingly finished with a pot success rate under 88 percent, his lowest at the Crucible since 2006.
Analysts point to a season disrupted by a recurring neck complaint and an experiment with a lighter cue that has yet to yield dividends.
In the immediate aftermath, Selby acknowledged technical struggles but insisted retirement is “not even a conversation,” vowing to rebuild during the summer series in Asia.
Nevertheless, back to back first round defeats mark the worst sequence of his career and have already sparked debate over whether the old granite resolve is eroding.
Coach Chris Small suggested that Selby might benefit from a shorter, sharper playing schedule, noting that the 41 year old has entered more ranking events than any other top eight player this term.
Fans will remember that John Higgins endured a similar slump before reviving his fortunes, yet for now questions linger.
If the man once nicknamed the Torturer is no longer impenetrable over long matches, the hierarchy of the sport could shift quickly.
