Mark Selby targets Ronnie O'Sullivan's World Championship title record as he urges snooker peace talks

24.03.2023 - 14:37 eurosport.com

Mark Selby believes he could yet reach the modern era record of seven world titles won by old rivals Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry at the Crucible Theatre after regaining top form in his own backyard.

The rejuvenated 22-time ranking event winner claimed his second major title of the campaign with a 6-2 win over Pang Junxu on Wednesday night that saw a smiling 'Jester' compile three centuries in pocketing the £80,000 first prize in his home city of Leicester.

Ad After lifting the English Open in December with an emotional 9-6 win over Luca Brecel in Brentwood, Selby feels he is playing his way into peak potting shape ahead of the Tour Championship in Hull next week (27 March-2 April) and next month's 47th World Championship in Sheffield (15 April-1 May).

SnookerWST chairman hits out at O'Sullivan over ‘misguided comments’YESTERDAY AT 22:06 After seeking treatment for mental health issues away from table last year, the world No.

Sporting as Mark Selby Luca Brecel Britain Sheffield

Snooker legend Jimmy White has tipped Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Selby to contest the 2023 World Championship final at the Crucible. The tournament kicks off in Sheffield on Saturday, with defending champion O’Sullivan meeting debutant Pang Junxu and four-time winner Selby facing Matthew Selt. Ad O’Sullivan has not progressed beyond the quarter-finals at a ranking tournament this season, although he was won two invitational events, the Hong Kong Masters and Champion of Champions.

World Snooker Championship draw: Ronnie O’Sullivan meets Pang Junxu, Judd Trump faces Anthony McGill

Ronnie O’Sullivan will open his bid for a record eighth World Championship title against Pang Junxu in the first round at the Crucible in Sheffield. O'Sullivan has only defended his world title once — in 2013 — when he did not play for most of the season. Ad Four-time champions Mark Selby and John Higgins face Matthew Selt and David Grace respectively, while Neil Robertson takes on Wu Yize and Judd Trump meets Anthony McGill.

Ronnie O'Sullivan ready to 'climb the mountain' ahead of 2023 World Championship snooker opener against Pang Junxu

Ronnie O'Sullivan admits he is relishing the chance to start at the bottom and «climb the mountain» in his quest for a record eighth world title at the Crucible Theatre. In an exclusive interview with Eurosport on the cusp of the 47th World Championship in Sheffield, the defending world champion and world No. 1 said he was feeling «fresh and looking forward to it» ahead of his tournament opener against 23-year-old Chinese qualifier Pang Junxu.

Ronnie O’Sullivan exclusive: Why star isn’t bigger than snooker ahead of record World Championship title bid

Only a few yards from the stage door of the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, gateway to a timeless sporting tardis where a potting potpourri of bow-tied giants have roamed since 1977, something stirs. And something whirrs. The tills at a sporting memorabilia shop bearing Ronnie O’Sullivan’s name – aptly titled the Ronnie O’Sullivan snooker shop – move faster at this time of the year than the great man himself.

Neil Robertson hoping to learn from Ronnie O'Sullivan as he pursues World Championship title in Sheffield

Neil Robertson says he is hoping to learn from Ronnie O'Sullivan's World Championship victory last year as he aims to become a multiple world champion. Robertson has struggled for form since the 2021-22 season when he won four major titles, exiting the World Championship last year at the last-16 stage. Ad The Australian says he was impressed by O'Sullivan's ability to win matches and seal his seventh world title even though he felt the Rocket was not playing his best snooker.

Ronnie O’Sullivan exclusive on World Snooker Championship title rivals Judd Trump, Mark Selby and Neil Robertson

Ronnie O'Sullivan is the 4/1 favourite with bookmakers to land a record eighth world snooker title, but the defending champion does not pay attention to any of the pre-tournament hype swirling around Sheffield at this time of year. O'Sullivan has lifted the elite invitational Hong Kong Masters (6-4 against Marco Fu) and Champion of Champions (10-6 against Judd Trump) this season, but has toiled to make an impact in the ranking events with his best returns coming via quarter-final appearances at the UK Championship and Welsh Open.