Welsh Open: Defending champion Jordan Brown loses 4-3 to Mitchell Mann in first round

Defending champion Jordan Brown has lost 4-3 to world number 89 Mitchell Mann in the first round of the Welsh Open at Celtic Manor.

Birmingham native Mann took the first frame, but Brown moved 2-1 ahead with the aid of a 124 break in frame three.

A run of 62 drew Mann level but Brown constructed a 50 break to make it 3-2.

The Englishman replied with a 50 break of his own to restore parity once again and took the final frame to book a second-round meeting with Ben Hancorn.

Northern Ireland world number 24 Brown won the tournament last year as a 750-1 outsider, defeating Ronnie O'Sullivan 9-8 in a thrilling final.

The 34-year-old's passage to the decider included winning four final-frame deciders, including a black ball victory over Mark Selby in the quarter-finals, before easing past Stephen Maguire 6-1 at the last-four stage.

The victory saw Brown become only the fourth Northern Irishman to collect a tour title.

He has struggled to recapture that heady form however, failing to make an impact in subsequent events, a fourth-round appearance at the UK Championship his best performance of 2021-22.

Brown's compatriot Mark Allen will face former world champion Ken Doherty in his first round match on Monday night.

You can watch coverage of the Welsh Open on BBC Wales, BBC iPlayer, BBC Red Button and the BBC Sport website and app.