Mark Selby looks ahead to second round Championship tie

Leicester’s Mark Selby looks to continue his defence of snooker’s World Championship today following a determined first round victory. The win came after the Jester from Leicester admitted to suffering with his mental health.

Selby, who won the World Championship last year, will look to defend his title today when he faces off against China's Yan Bingtao in the second round. His victory last weekend against qualifier Jamie Jones set up tomorrow’s tie, but the Jester is taking the tournament one game at a time.

The 38-year-old recently revealed he has been suffering with his mental health for some time. The severity of his struggles nearly saw him give up the chance to defend his title in Sheffield this week.

Mark Selby to seek help over mental health struggles

If Selby goes on to defend his title, it would be his fifth World Championship crown. It’s one he said would be the “greatest achievement” of his career.

“For sure [it would be my greatest achievement], because the game is tough enough anyway and to be here for two weeks is mentally and physically draining,” he told PA. “It is a challenge for me but it is a challenge I am willing to take on.

“I have no expectations of myself. If I win that’s great and if I lose it’s not the end of the world, I will go home and concentrate on getting myself better.”

The Jester’s first round tie did not see the Leicester man at his best as he struggled for consistency against Welsh qualifier Jones. However, he battled through the match to win 10-7.

“It was quite emotional going back out there today,” he said following the victory. “The result was irrelevant as long as I went out and tried to enjoy it and smiled a little bit, and that’s what happened. The main thing for me at