Can Mark join game’s greats?
MARK SELBY will attempt to join an elite group in the record books today after reaching the Betway UK Championship Final.
However, he will have the imposing figure of Ronnie O’Sullivan blocking his path to glory as both men chase landmark victories.
Only five players have won the UK and World Championship titles in the same year, but after his Crucible triumph in May that achievement is within touching distance for Selby.
He outwitted Shaun Murphy at the York Barbican, coming through as 6-2 winner from a match that played out tighter than the final scoreline suggested.
O’Sullivan, who could count himself lucky to win 6-5 against Marco Fu even though he finished with a century, is among that elite quintet of doubling-up high achievers.
Heading into the final he is staring at career figures that Selby is unlikely to ever match.
Success this evening would tie O’Sullivan with Steve Davis for the record number of UK Championship triumphs - six - and move him second outright on the all-time list of players with the most ranking titles.
He shares second place with Davis and John Higgins on 28 at present; only Stephen Hendry, with 36, has won more. Selby stands on nine, only one of which has come in the UK Championship.
But against Fu, O’Sullivan was highly erratic and breaks of 76, 59 and 58 were his best compared to 80, 100 and 85 from his opponent, until the final-frame twist. Fu came from 4-2 down to lead 5-4, only to miss a green when on the brink of a monumental upset.
O’Sullivan pounced, levelling the match before ploughing in 130 to put the seal on a dramatic contest.
Looking ahead to today’s final Selby said: “Whether I’m the favourite or not is irrelevant. I just go into every match believing that if I play my own game I’m more than capable of winning.
“To get into that elite group of holding the World Championship and UK Championship in the same year would be great, but there’s still a long way to go.”
Having been UK champion in 2012 at Murphy’s expense, and runner-up the following year, Selby is making a happy habit of doing well in York.
“To get back to the final is a great feeling but I’ve not finished yet,” he said.
Frustrated by his missed opportunity, Murphy said: “The mistakes against Mark are magnified so much. If you can’t kill him off he normally has a way of finding his way back into the match.”