Selby Pinches Title From Barry
Leicester’s Mark Selby won the second Players Tour Championship event in Sheffield with a display of almost perfect snooker to steal the title from the hands of Barry Pinches.
Selby is developing a trademark of being able to find his very best when his opponent is one frame from victory.
Masters and Welsh Open final wins against Ronnie O’Sullivan illustrates his ability to perform the great escape.
Barry Pinches must have thought he was almost there when he opened up a 3-1 lead continuing to play the type of fluent snooker that had seen him win six matches en route to Selby.
Breaks of 72, 79 and 95 gave the Norwich player three frames in a row after losing the opener.
With his back firmly against the wall, Selby showed his class to take the fifth frame before moving into top gear.
Pinches was prevented from scoring a single point in the last two frames as Selby made a 133 to level, quickly followed with a run of 116, his eighth century of the event, to claim the title and the number one spot on the latest PTC Order of Merit.
Wales’ Mark Williams in second place with Pinches in third followed by Stephen Maguire in fourth and Marco Fu in fifth.
