Mark Selby has marched through to the semi-finals of the Champion of Champions for the first time since he last did in 2013. He wiggled his way through two tough tests to seal his place in the last-four. The third day at the Marshal arena could have ended sour for the Jester from Leicester, but he was able to pull off a miracle at the death of the game to move to the next round at the expense of Kyren Wilson.
After taking out Luca Brecel in the first round with an excellent break of 53, only few would have considered him less of a favorite in the game against Wilson. But the latter took out his own opponent, Stephen Maguire with a 130-century break, didn’t he? He was surely the favorite and the more in-form player.
As expected, it was Wilson who started the game on the front foot, racing off to a 4-0 lead after four frames. Yet, the Jester from Leicester unrelenting in his efforts placed his foot on the gas pedal and began to grow into the game. He is regarded as one of the best players in the history of the game and rightfully so. If not by any other standards, this game showed that Selby was an epitome of brilliant technique and incredible winning mentality.
Selby claimed three wins on the trot to announce an impending comeback, but Wilson was quick to steady the ship and nip this riotous movement in the bud by clinching a tight eight frame to lead 5-3 and move one step closer to the last four.
But Selby wouldn’t give up yet. In fact, two frames after, a decider would be needed to sift the chaff from the main substance. It was a tense and nervy encounter between the pair, but it was Selby who came out tops in the end with a final run of 74. What an incredible run!
After facing a 4-0 deficit, the 2020 European Masters winner won six of the last seven frame to advance to the next round of the Champion of Champions. He will now be joining other forces like Neil Robertson and Judd Trump to vie for one of the most coveted trophies of the season.
Written by: Roland Arum
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