The 31st frame was crucial, Selby producing superbly disciplined snooker to win it after a 51-minute tactical battle and he dominated the next to seal the title. “It is fantastic”, Selby said.
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“To win the title once is great, but to win it twice is a dream come true”. When you look at the people who have won it twice, it is an wonderful feeling to join that elite group.
Vikki’s family have taken 32-year-old Selby into their fold, and Terry was a passionate supporter of his son-in-law. I think it was just grit and determination, I never give in, no matter how badly I’m playing.
Instead, Selby was the guest of honour at a celebratory function in the Steel City, where he admitted: “I can’t believe it”.
In the first to 18, a 6-0 lead is not a huge one, especially against someone like Ding.
“I knew I had to capitalise early doors, every time I got a chance I punished him and scored”.
There was joy at a second success on snooker’s biggest stage, just two years after he beat Ronnie O’Sullivan in the Sheffield showpiece. After I got back to my seat he said to me it was 2-2 and Leicester were champions, ‘ Selby said.
If Leicester let him, Selby will bring along his trophy. He had breaks of 126, 52, 68 and 55 in pulling 14-11 clear heading into the evening. He swished his cue in anger at one point after missing a testing pink.
Not so. Runs of 73, 70 and the third 103 of the match revived Ding’s prospects. Only three players from outside Britain and Ireland have won the crown, Australian Horace Lindrum in 1952, Canadian Cliff Thorburn in 1980 and Australian Neal Robertson in 2010. “We are here for 10 years”. Maybe next time I’m going to win this title.
He battled through one scrappy frame with an iron will and then clinched victory rather more stylishly with a 74 break.
I saved my best performance for the final and I only had two good sessions in the tournament.
“Oh do me a favour”, said the 67-year-old.
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“All game, I tried extra hard to pot the blue balls, for Leicester’s sake, even though it’s the wrong shade of blue and, to be honest, I’d have been trying to pot them anyway”.
