Snooker:Mark Selby produced a stunning comeback at Wembley Arena to regain the British Masters title he lost to Ronnie O'Sullivan a year ago.
In a thrilling final of high quality, the world number one established a lead in the afternoon session that he did not relinquish until Selby won the penultimate frame to take the game into a decider.
Selby, winner of the prestigious non-ranking title in 2008, has a reputation for winning deciding frames and enhanced his record by edging ahead of The Rocket to claim the match a 10-9 victory.
This was the first major tournament since Barry Hearn’s appointment as chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, a move that has been tipped to reinvigorate the sport after a slump that has seen players disillusioned. This thrilling final will help.
Selby described the win as the best match he has been involved in.
“I went into the final frame probably more confident than Ronnie was because of the deciding frames I’ve won here,” he said. “You are looking for one chance, then if you don’t win it you can’t moan.
“I’d rather it not go to the final frame but who cares? It was the best match I’ve been involved in. Ronnie sets the standard. The standard of the match was good in parts and the atmosphere was great, especially against Ronnie in London was a dream come true.
“I was just thinking ‘dig in and take one frame at a time’. In this game a run of the ball here and there can change the match. I thought if I have to scrap it out I have to scrap it out.
“I don’t know what it is. With the one-table situation every time you come out here it is like a final. I love the atmosphere and seem to thrive on it. I got off to a bad start to the season but this should give me the confidence to kick-start from now on.”
O’Sullivan took on a tricky green when he was 9-7 up but had no regrets.
He said: “You have to take you chances when you get them. That wasn’t an easy shot but sometimes you have to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Sometimes they go in sometime they don’t. It’s one of those things.”
The Rocket, who admitted he was lucky to reach the final, added: “It’s what you expect.
“They are professionals and you don’t expect people to miss balls. I surprised myself by getting to the final, so I’m not too disappointed.”