Iran Press/ Europe: The Iranian showman, lavishly dubbed 'The Prince of Persia' – showed off his audacious attacking cue craft by pocketing the final four frames to oust Selby before a packed 2,000 crowd inside the celebrated London venue.
Vafaei was only given the chance to participate in the sport's biggest invitational event due to the match-fixing allegations that saw Zhao Xintong suspended from the sport amid an ongoing WPBSA probe.
The world No. 19 made the most of his unexpected opportunity as breaks of 52, 107, 99, 65 and 104 saw him secure a quarter-final meeting with John Higgins or Jack Lisowski on Thursday evening.
Vafaei is keen to continue his love-in with the London snooker diehards by emulating the sport's iconic people's champions Alex Higgins, Jimmy White, and Ronnie O'Sullivan at the Masters.
“When I got to Alexandra Palace yesterday I was buzzing," said Vafaei, who has enjoyed three straight victories over world No. 2 Selby, adding a Masters victory to two at the past two UK Championships.
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“I had dreamed about playing here many times. There is so much history behind this event and if you want to be a good player you have to show yourself in front of the London fans.
"It was amazing, when I play at a venue like this, my best comes out. If you get involved with the fans, they will love you.
"I was sitting in my chair and people were asking me in between frames to take a picture with me! I got lots of positive energy from them so I had to give something back."
Ali Carter famously reached the final in 2020 as a late entrant – losing 10-8 to fellow Essex professional Stuart Bingham – after seven-time champion, O'Sullivan opted to miss the event.
Vafaei would love to go one step further at the 49th staging of the blue-chip tournament.
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