Hossein Vafaei 'not going to buckle' against Ronnie O'Sullivan at the World Snooker Championship, says Mark Selby

Hossein Vafaei is «not going to buckle» against Ronnie O'Sullivan in their second-round World Championship grudge match, reckons Mark Selby. Selby, who won through to the second round himself by beating Matt Selt on Thursday, is — like many — eagerly anticipating the clash between the warring pair that begins at 2.30pm on discovery+ and Eurosport. Ad On the eve of the encounter, O'Sullivan — responding to Vafaei's comments that he wants to «shut» The Rocket's mouth — said that some of the Iranian's comments «didn't make sense», and added that he doesn't «get involved in those battles because it is not worth it.» World ChampionshipHearn 'fell off chair laughing' after Vafaei’s dig at O’Sullivan3 HOURS AGO And now Selby, a four-time champion at the Crucible and a man who knows both players well, gave his take on the saga and the upcoming match.

«For the game in general it shakes it up a bit, gets people involved, gets people interested,» Selby said. «I think it was like me and Ronnie a few years ago when he was calling me 'The Torturer' and I was saying things back. »It’s no different to boxing, I suppose, when they get on well but they jazz it up to make the fight bigger than what it is.

«It’ll be a good game. I’ve got a lot of respect for Hossein, for him to get where he has in the game, considering when he couldn’t play in every tournament due to his visa issues, because that could have easily done his confidence in. »He’s a great player and got every chance against Ronnie, I think." Some have questioned the wisdom of Vafaei being so vocal towards O'Sullivan before their encounter and whether he can back up his words, but Selby refuted those claims.