Mark Selby was a man on a mission in Telford today as the Maplin UK Championship started – the world No 4 hoping to go one stage further than last year.
The ‘Jester from Leicester’ was just one frame away from a place in the final last year when his last-four opponent Ronnie O’Sullivan rattled in a stunning 147 maximum break to wrap up the match.
Selby, who won the Saga Insurance Masters and Welsh Open last season, remembers O’Sullivan’s brilliant clearance all too well.
“I did everything right really,” he recalls. “I had a chance to go 8-5 in front and then I went 8-7 behind. But I managed to level at 8-8– and the rest is history really.
“No disrespect to any other player, but I think he was the only player who could have done that against me in that situation – and he did it as if it was nothing really.
“But I have to say that Ronnie’s always a pleasure to watch when he’s flowing.
“He’s probably the only player who, when you’re sitting in your chair, you can’t really get downbeat about – because he’s so good to watch. But at the same time, you’d sooner it be you and come through the match yourself.”
Selby also lost 7-2 to the ‘Rocket’ in the Premier League final last week.
But he insists: “It’s not dented my confidence, because I know all I did was miss a couple of balls – that’s all it takes against someone of Ronnie’s standard.
“He just seems to punish you and run away with it.
“Obviously it was a little bit disappointing having got to the final and then not really performed – but as it was my debut season in the Premier League, I was also very happy with what I had achieved.
“My 5-0 win over Stephen Hendry (in the semi-final) was probably some of the best snooker I have played on TV for a while.”
Selby is on course to meet O’Sullivan in the semi-final again in Telford – but first he must get past two-time world champion Mark Williams, in what looks a tricky opener.
“I’ve got a tough game in the first round,” confirmed Selby.
“But my form’s good at the moment, and I’m looking forward to it.
“There’s not many easy games nowadays, because there are so many good players around – but with Mark having the experience of being there and done it, it will be a hard game.
“I’ve played him twice before and never beaten him. So I hope I will beat him for the first time in Telford this weekend.”
By Dominic Picksley
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