Hong Kong's Marco Fu is the third member of the game's top 16 to exit the £441,000 sterling Regal Scottish Open in Aberdeen today when he lost 5-4 to Essex left-hander Mark King.
Fu, snooker's leading overseas player, goes to the World Championshiop in Sheffield later this month with this place in snooker's top 16 hanging in the balance.
"I am not in a good position and I'll probably have to beat Chris Small in my opening match at the Crucible to stay in. I have been losing too many first round matches," said Fu.
"But if I don't deserve to stay in the top 16 then I don't deserve it."
Ulsterman and world number 16 Joe Swail cruised into round three with a 5-1 win over Scotland's Billy Snaddon.
Swail's reward is a match against seven-times world champion Stephen Hendry or qualifier Ali Carter who meet at the Exhibition and Conference Centre this evening.
PA