This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Protester covers snooker table in orange powder during World Championships
Mark Selby and Luca Brecel will complete their battle to win the 2023 World Snooker Championship at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre this evening, with the Belgian Bullet on the brink of a shock victory.
Selby made history on Sunday evening as he became the first man to make a maximum 147 break in the world final in emotional, jubilant scenes at the Crucible during the second session of the best-of-35 contest. However, a Brecel onslaught on Monday afternoon saw him move within three frames of the winning line at 15-10, leaving Selby requiring one of his patented comebacks to turn the match around.
Selby reached the final by seeing off Mark Allen in a slugfest on Saturday night that didn’t finish until 12.47am, while Brecel pulled off a stunning comeback to knock out China’s Si Jiahui at the semi-final stage. And it was Brecel who started the final quicker, taking a 6-2 lead into Sunday’s evening session but Selby is known for his gritty determination and he battled back to narrow the gap to just one frame at 9-8 overnight, although the Belgian responded well in the third session.
The 39-year-old Englishman has four world titles to his name and is trying become only the fourth player in the Crucible era to win a fifth, following in the path of Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan. However, supremely talented Belgian Brecel, who at 28 is starting to find the best form of his career, is in a strong position to claim his first crown
Follow all the action from the Crucible Theatre with our live blog, below:
End of session: Selby 10-15 Brecel
Here’s a look at the final few shots of Brecel’s marvellous break in that final frame:
Ben Fleming1 May 2023 16:35
End of session: Selby 10-15 Brecel
What is the thinking now if you are Mark Selby? He’s certainly not been at his clinical best but every time ‘The Jester’ has left even the smallest of openings, Brecel has barged through.
The two frames he did win in that afternoon session were long and drawn out those are the kind of situations he may be forced to try and recreate as he attempts to make the Belgian buckle under some kind of pressure.
It’s all set up for an intriguing final session but you feel like Selby has to strike early with a few frames on the spin if he’s to stand a chance against his fearless opponent.
Ben Fleming1 May 2023 16:26
End of session: Selby 10-15 Brecel
Truly phenomenal play from Brecel in those final two frames. Selby looked to have clawed his way back into the contest with the first two hard-fought frames after the mid-session interval. Many a player playing in their first World Championship final would have wilted in that position but the Belgian Bullet rose to the occasion. A sterling 119 clearance in the penultimate frame and then some marvellous shotmaking to eke out the final frame.
He will return later this evening needing just three frames to take home the title.
Ben Fleming1 May 2023 16:17
Selby 10-15 Brecel - five-frame lead at the close of the afternoon session
It does not matter where the balls are on the table, Brecel continues to find a way to get to them all. He splits the two remaining reds expertly and with the blue and pink safely potted, he takes the final frame of the afternoon session.
What a response from the Belgian!
Ben Fleming1 May 2023 16:12
Selby 10-14 Brecel
Brecel opts for safety with no reds in a good position. A few shots later, Selby misses a good look at a long-range red and the Belgian exerts more pressure as he tucks the white ball up behind the green which currently occupies a position on the black spot. Selbey escapes but leaves an opening for Brecel...and he takes full advantage.
Still plenty of work to do with two reds close together in the middle of the board.
Ben Fleming1 May 2023 16:05
Selby 10-14 Brecel
Now it’s Selby with the mistake as he misses out on a red using the rest. Brecel makes no mistake before splitting the red pack well off the brown. The score sits at 40-15 with just three reds left on the table.
Ben Fleming1 May 2023 16:01
Selby 10-14 Brecel
Selby takes advantage with a nice long pot from the Brecel break off but he gets out of position with the white and misses on the yellow as he looks to carve out a position on the reds.
Brecel comes to the table but it’s a solitary red before a terrible miss on a routine black gives the table back to the Englishman.
Ben Fleming1 May 2023 15:55
Selby 10-14 Brecel - fantastic response from Brecel
Brecel wins his first frame since the break in frankly stupendous style and it’s a fourth century of the afternoon. That break could and probably should have ended at various points with reds in tough positions but shotmaking of the highest order means the Belgian moves four frames clear once again with a 119 clearance. Remarkable.
Ben Fleming1 May 2023 15:48
Selby 10-13 Brecel
Brecel isn’t fazed at all and takes advantage right off Selby’s break with a long-range pot. A couple more reds are available before an excellent shot on the black ricochets the white into the pack and further splits the pack for the Belgian who is into the 40s.
Ben Fleming1 May 2023 15:40
Selby 10-13 Brecel - back-to-back frames for Selby
Another long frame and another one that crucially goes the way of Selby. He makes a slight mistake on the pink but Brecel - needing a snooker - pots the pink accidentally trying to set it up.
The gap is back to three now and Selby will believe again - his experience has come to the fore in the last hour, can he now press on and further close the gap?
Ben Fleming1 May 2023 15:35