Mark Selby will face Luca Brecel in the English Open final after defeating defending champion Neil Robertson 6-4 in Brentwood on Saturday.After Robertson went 3-1 up, posting a break of 141 along the way, Selby fought back, with a 136 clearance helping him move 4-3 ahead.The match then drew level again at 4-4, before Selby wrapped things up with runs of 104 and 85.
It was the first time in eight meetings between the former world champions that Selby had triumphed.And the 39-year-old - who had not made a final since claiming the world title in 2021 - said in quotes on wst.tv: "The last few times Neil has beaten me I have played OK, I just haven't had enough chances to win the match."Today I took virtually every chance from 3-1 down.
He is the best player in the world at the moment, the standard he is playing is phenomenal, so to beat him you have to be at the top of your game."From 3-1 to 3-3, Neil missed a couple, which is probably the first time he has missed a ball against me since the Romans were building the roads."Then from 4-4 I played well in the last two.
I have been working hard and playing well in practice. That means nothing unless you are taking it out there to the match table.