Mark Selby captured his second Welsh Open title after beating Stephen Maguire 9-6 within the 2025 closing in Llandudno on Sunday.
The Jester produced a powerful show to win a twenty fourth profession rating occasion title whereas pocketing the £100,000 champion’s cheque.
It’s Selby’s second piece of silverware this month following his glory on the invitational version of Championship League Snooker in his hometown of Leicester.
His British Open victory earlier within the marketing campaign means he’s one among solely three gamers this season who’ve claimed a number of rating crowns.
There was a minute’s applause earlier than the showdown in reminiscence of Welsh greats Ray Reardon, who the Welsh Open trophy is known as after, and Terry Griffiths, who each handed away in 2024.
When the ultimate duly commenced, it was Selby who settled first with the 2008 champion taking a few scrappy frames to guide 2-0.
Maguire obtained on the scoreboard with a break of 60 within the third body earlier than Selby restored his two-frame buffer on the interval with a run of 78.
Three out of the following 4 frames went the best way of the Scot, nonetheless, who countered Selby’s 116 century within the seventh body with contributions of 54, 63, and 81 to attract degree at 4-4.
It was a lot the identical when the duo returned for the night session of play in entrance of an enormous crowd on the Venue Cymru.
Selby received a good opening body to maneuver in entrance however was shortly pegged again once more as his opponent, the Welsh Open winner in 2013, dug deep to remain in contact.
The sample then continued within the subsequent couple of frames with Maguire producing an excellent 71 clearance within the twelfth body to degree at 6-6.
The following mid-session interval most likely got here on the improper time for the Glaswegian and simply on the proper second for Selby, who managed to compose himself forward of the conclusion.
World quantity 4 Selby left his challenger pointless for the following two frames, compiling breaks of 60 and 128 to determine a two-frame cushion as soon as extra.
The 41 year-old wanted a few bites of the cherry within the fifteenth body, however that proved to be the final as Selby accomplished the job.
It was a disappointing climax for Maguire, who might by no means fairly get into the lead regardless of drawing degree on quite a few events.
However it was a powerful event for the 43 year-old general, whose £45,000 runner-up prize for reaching a primary rating closing in 5 years helps him qualify for the profitable World Grand Prix subsequent month by means of the one-year rankings listing.
Mark Selby, although, deserves all of the accolades for a superb show that takes him to joint-seventh on the all-time rating occasion winners listing alongside Neil Robertson.
He survived a few gruelling ties through the week towards Elliot Slessor and John Higgins in deciding frames.
But as has so typically been the case throughout his super profession, he arguably saved his greatest snooker for the ultimate itself.
Selby will head into the rest of the season and the celebrated tournaments to return brimming with confidence and along with his sport in sturdy form.
Featured picture credit score: WST
