World number one Mark Selby feels quarter-final opponent Thepchaiya Un-Nooh has perhaps underachieved so far in his career, though he still classes him as a ‘dangerous’ proposition in their Northern Ireland Open contest.

The three-time World Champion has been in fine form at the Waterfront Arena so far this week and dispatched Martin O’Donnell 4-2 in the last-16. Breaks of 63, 66 and 81 helped the ‘Jester from Leicester’ seal victory and he remains on course for what could prove a mouthwatering semi-final against Ronnie O’Sullivan on Saturday.

First up though is Un-Nooh, who produced a phenomenal display to sweep aside Robbie Williams 4-0 in just 37 minutes. The Thai rapidly fired in breaks of 138, 104, 99 and 65 to romp to victory and will present a formidable opponent for Selby on Friday.

Selby felt he had played well “in patches” as he overcame O’Donnell on Thursday and he anticipates a no-nonsense last-eight encounter against a player with plenty talent.

“Thepchaiya is one of the most talented players on tour and one of the quickest as well. He is very dangerous and should have done better in his career than he has so far,” said Selby.

Selby hasn’t won a title in Britain since the 2017 World Championship, with each of his last three victories coming in China. He has already expressed his desire to end that sequence this week and appears to be in with a chance, having dropped only one frame in three wins prior to defeating O’Donnell.

Selby is 1.22 to overcome Un-Nooh, who is 4.20 for the win. The Englishman is 4.33 to win the match 5-2.