Selby reaches World 8-ball Final
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Mark Selby (England) is just one match away from winning the World 8-Ball pool title.
The Leicester cue star hopes to lift the trophy and pocket a £10,000 winners’ cheque in the ImproveYourPool.com event at Blackpool’s Norbreck Castle Hotel.
Selby, making only his second appearance at the championships, stunned double world winner Chris Melling (England) 10-5 in the opening semi-final.
He will play 2004 finalist Darren Appleton in tonight’s best of 21 frames climax to the tournament. Appleton beat Carl Morris 10-4 in the other semi.
Selby’s victory also avenged his 8-3 quarter-final defeat by Yorkshireman Melling in the World Masters earlier in the week.
“It would be a massive achievement if I could win the championship,” said Selby.
“My first choice would be to become world snooker champion but I’ll certainly settle for world 8-ball champion.
“After all, it is my second sport. I’ve really enjoyed myself here.
“I could have been sat at home during the summer doing nothing. Instead, I can win ten grand and a world title.”
Selby trailed 2-0 but was soon making shots off the break while Keighley ‘Magician’ Melling regularly came up dry.
“At this level it’s all about the break,” agreed Selby, a shock 10-4 winner over John Higgins (Scotland) at the Crucible Theatre back in April.
“Had Chris managed to get the balls down like I’d done, I’m sure it would have been the same score line the other way round.”
Melling, who beat Mick Hill on Monday to retain his World Masters title, said: “If Mark plays like that he’ll win the title.
“But I’m not too disappointed because it’s all down to what happens with the break. He made three mistakes, I made two and yet I’ve lost 10-5.
“Before I came to Blackpool my goal was to win at least one of the world titles. I’ve got one though I would rather it be the world championship.
“So, overall I’ve had a good week.”
Melling, who prides himself as one of the greatest cue all-rounders, will now shoot some nine ball before taking up his place alongside Selby on the main snooker circuit next season.
“I’ve got a qualifier for the World 9-Ball Championship in Seville coming up and I’ve got a qualifier in London to try and get on Kevin Trudeau’s IPT series.”
Source
- www.worldsnooker.com
Date
Thu 06/15/06, 4:51 am EST
