Open win gives Selby first ranking title for 18 months

Mark Selby secured his first ranking title for 18 months after beating John Higgins 10-5 in the final of the British Open in Cheltenham.

The opening session at the Centaur Arena had proved a high-quality affair, with both players producing half-century breaks to go into the interval at 2-2.

Selby then made a 137 total clearance in the fifth frame, only for Higgins to respond with a century of his own to close back to 4-3.

Aiming for a first ranking title since the WST Classic in March 2023, Selby delivered another 135 break to head into the evening with a slender 5-3 lead.

Selby came from behind to make a break of 85 and extend his advantage to 7-4, but Higgins – set to swiftly return to the world's top 16 again following his run in Cheltenham – clawed another frame back, 86-25.

Four-time world champion Selby, though, dug in to push towards the winning line, edging a lengthy 13th frame 69-22 after a safety error from Higgins.

Nerveless breaks of 91 and then 93 secured Selby victory to lift the Clive Everton Trophy – named after the former snooker commentator, whose death aged 87 was announced on Friday – and take home the £100,000 top prize.