Congratulations Mark Selby on winning the British Open
After many months without lifting a trophy, the Jester finally got back to winning ways. One ranking title in the last three seasons has had people question him but he showed this week that he can still mix it with the best.
He grafted his way through to the final with four consecutive final frame deciders. Then looked really good against Mark Allen in the semis before playing as well as he ever has in my opinion in the final against Higgins. It wasn't your typical Mark Selby grind the opponent down match and win with bits and bobs breaks. It was heavy scoring, two centuries, another two of over 90 and a further three over 80. Out the ten frames he won, seven of them came with huge breaks. And when Selby plays that way, it shows just how good a scorer he is. He'll always have the great safety game but to see him score as well makes him one of the best players in the world.
This win will give him so many other opportunities as the season goes on as well, so it's always that bit more beneficial nowadays when you win a title.
Special mention to John Higgins as well. He came up against a Mark Selby in form but he showed all his class during the tournament as well. And because of his success in reaching the final, he has instantly gone back into the top 16. After dropping out for a mere week after 29 years inside the world's elite, he has jumped straight back in there. He might need another good tournament or two to guarantee his place at next year's Masters.
Doesn't look like they've set a date for the Grand Prix yet but both players should have done enough to confirm their places in the event for this season. It's for the top 32 players on the one year list, Selby is currently 5th on that list and Higgins 13th.
Up next is the Wuhan Open, which starts on the 6th October. Ironically, Mark Selby was knocked out in the qualifiers for the event so won't be able to continue his good form. Somebody else who has struggled to continue their good form is Luca Brecel, who since winning the World Title in 23 has failed to progress further than the quarter finals in any ranking event and even that he's only done once. He, like Selby, has been knocked out in the qualifiers for the Wuhan Open and is in danger of having to fight for his tour card, let alone a top 16 place. At the moment, he'll end the season ranked 55th in the World.
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