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==Career== |
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===1998–2007=== |
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A winner of the England under-15 championship in 1998,<ref name=WPBSA>{{Cite web |title=Mark Selby |work=WPBSA |access-date=10 October 2020 |url=https://wpbsa.com/player/mark-selby/ |archive-date=16 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516141248/https://wpbsa.com/player/mark-selby/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Selby joined the professional tour a year later in 1999, at the age of 16.<ref name=BBCSport050514>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/27289110 |title=Mark Selby dedicates World Championship title to late father |date=5 May 2014 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=18 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403004858/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/27289110 |archive-date=3 April 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Independent20110109">{{cite web|last=Nunns|first=Hector|date=9 January 2011|title=Snooker: Fate starts to smile on the Leicester Jester|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-fate-starts-to-smile-on-the-leicester-jester-2179660.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605155916/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-fate-starts-to-smile-on-the-leicester-jester-2179660.html|archive-date=5 June 2020|access-date=2 April 2020|website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> In early 2002, he reached the semi-finals of the [[2002 China Open (snooker)|China Open]], despite leaving his hotel room at 2 a.m. instead of 2 p.m. for one of his matches because of [[jetlag]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/worldchampionships2005/profiles/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=Sporting_Life/05/03/31/manual_113935.html |title=World Snooker Player Profiles: Mark Selby |work=Sporting Life |location=UK |access-date=22 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716121945/http://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/worldchampionships2005/profiles/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=Sporting_Life%2F05%2F03%2F31%2Fmanual_113935.html |archive-date=16 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In April 2003, aged 19, he reached his first ranking final at the [[2003 Scottish Open (snooker)|Scottish Open]], where he finished runner-up to [[David Gray (snooker player)|David Gray]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0203/so2003_res.shtml |title=Regal Scottish Open 2003 |website=snooker.org |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614030241/http://www.snooker.org/trn/0203/so2003_res.shtml |archive-date=14 June 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> earning himself a place in the top 32 for the first time.<ref name=WPBSA /> In October 2004, he made it to the quarter-finals stage of the [[2004 Grand Prix (snooker)|2004 Grand Prix]] with a 5–3 win over [[Peter Ebdon]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3724340.stm|title=O'Sullivan on song|date=7 October 2004|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> but there he was whitewashed 5–0 by [[Ronnie O'Sullivan]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3728078.stm|title=O'Sullivan to meet Hunter|date=8 October 2004|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> the tournament's eventual champion. Selby got to the final round of qualifying at the World Snooker Championships in [[2002 World Snooker Championship|2002]], [[2003 World Snooker Championship|2003]] and [[2004 World Snooker Championship|2004]], but failed to progress to the knockout stages at the [[Crucible Theatre]] on all three occasions.<ref name="SCQ12">{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Embassy World Championship: Qualifying: Rounds 1–2 (Telford) |magazine=Snooker Scene |page=33 |publisher=Everton's News Agency |issue=March 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=World Championship Qualifying |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency |issue=March 2003}}</ref> |
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From late 2005, Selby was managed by former snooker professional and fellow Leicester resident Mukesh Parmar.<ref name=Independent20110109 /> He progressed to the main draw of the [[2005 World Snooker Championship|2005 World Championship]], losing 5–10 to [[John Higgins]] in the first round.<ref>{{cite web |last=Harlow |first=Phil |title=Higgins sees off Selby challenge |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4458889.stm |work=BBC Sport |access-date=28 August 2020 |date=19 April 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306055006/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4458889.stm |archive-date=6 March 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> He then faced Higgins in the first round again at the [[2006 World Snooker Championship|2006 World Championship]], this time defeating the reigning [[2005 Grand Prix (snooker)|Grand Prix]] and [[2006 Masters (snooker)|Masters]] champion 10–4,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/apr/17/snooker.worldsnookerchampionship2006 |title=Selby keeps his cool to send Higgins crashing out |date=17 April 2006 |first=Clive |last=Everton |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=27 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140922044946/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/apr/17/snooker.worldsnookerchampionship2006 |archive-date=22 September 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> before being eliminated in the second round by [[Mark Williams (snooker player)|Mark Williams]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4869790.stm |title=Full World Championship results |date=2 May 2006 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=28 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060619131622/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4869790.stm |archive-date=19 June 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Selby reached the final of the [[2007 World Snooker Championship|2007 World Championship]], beating [[Stephen Lee (snooker player)|Stephen Lee]] 10–7 in the first round, after winning eight successive {{cuegloss|frame|frames}} from 0–5 behind to lead 8–5,<ref name=bbc3>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6590115.stm |title=Selby completes amazing comeback |access-date=6 May 2007 |work=BBC Sport |date=25 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070429053723/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6590115.stm |archive-date=29 April 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref> then defeating former world champion Peter Ebdon 13–8 in the second round, making five centuries, with three of them being consecutive.<ref name=bbc2>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6605633.stm |title=Sizzling Selby knocks out Ebdon |access-date=6 May 2007 |work=BBC Sport |date=30 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070504133856/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6605633.stm |archive-date=4 May 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the quarter-finals, he beat [[Ali Carter]] 13–12, from 11–8 ahead and 11–12 behind, in a match that lasted well over nine hours.<ref name=bbc4>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6612799.stm |title=Selby finally shakes off Carter |access-date=6 May 2007 |work=BBC Sport |date=2 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070507035850/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6612799.stm |archive-date=7 May 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref> Then after trailing 14–16, he won his semi-final match 17–16 against [[Shaun Murphy]], in another deciding frame that he took with a 64 break.<ref name=bbc5>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6621799.stm |title=Selby pips Murphy to reach final |access-date=6 May 2007 |work=BBC Sport |date=5 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609033311/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6621799.stm |archive-date=9 June 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the final, John Higgins led 12–4 after the second session, but Selby won all six frames played in the third session on Monday afternoon, before time ran out due to the length of the frames; he was therefore only 10–12 behind entering the final session, and closed to within one frame at 13–14 before eventually losing the match 13–18.<ref name="bbc1">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6633177.stm |title=Higgins beats brave Selby in epic |access-date=8 May 2007 |work=BBC Sport |date=8 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018131743/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6633177.stm |archive-date=18 October 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref> Higgins pointed out in his victory speech that Selby was "the most improved player on the tour".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://matchroomsport.com/articleDetail.asp?intArticleId=500 |title=Murphy and Selby join Championship Snooker |access-date=16 November 2009 |work=[[Matchroom Sport]] |date=6 February 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080504093838/http://matchroomsport.com/articleDetail.asp?intArticleId=500 |archive-date=4 May 2008}}</ref> |
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Selby's performance in the [[2006–07 snooker season|2006–07 season]] earned him a place in the top 16 for the first time for the [[2007–08 snooker season|2007–08 season]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/leicester/content/articles/2007/05/04/mark_selby_feature.shtml |title=Hot Shot |work=BBC Leicester |date=4 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070513050451/https://www.bbc.co.uk/leicester/content/articles/2007/05/04/mark_selby_feature.shtml |archive-date=13 May 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> where he was ranked 11th.<ref name=WPBSA /> His victories over Lee, Ebdon, Carter and Murphy at the 2007 World Championship also won him the inaugural 888.com Silver Chip award for outstanding performance, awarded by the Snooker Writers' Association.<ref name=silverchipaward>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/news_press_releases-18703.htm |title=Selby's Had His Chip |work=World Snooker |date=5 May 2007 |access-date=19 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070514012803/http://www.worldsnooker.com/news_press_releases-18703.htm |archive-date=14 May 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/arid-30309228.html |title=Selby scoops award |date=4 May 2007 |work=Irish Examiner |access-date=17 October 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018002820/https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/arid-30309228.html |archive-date=18 October 2020}}</ref> |
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===2007–08 season: first Masters title=== |
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Next season, Selby made it to the semi-finals in the [[2007 Shanghai Masters]], but was defeated by [[Dominic Dale]], who went on to win the tournament.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://wst.tv/shanghai-masters-flashback|title=Shanghai Masters Flashback|date=3 September 2014|publisher=World Snooker Tour}}</ref> Selby also had a strong run in the [[2007 UK Championship|UK Championship]], reaching the semi-finals as well, where he met the eventual winner of the event, Ronnie O'Sullivan. Selby led 7–5, but fell 7–8 behind before levelling the match at 8–8; however, O'Sullivan made a 147 break in the deciding frame to win 9–8.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=snooker/07/12/15/SNOOKER_Telford_Nightlead.html |title=Superb Sullivan stuns Selby |work=Sporting Life |location=UK |date=16 July 2011 |access-date=22 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716122027/http://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=snooker%2F07%2F12%2F15%2FSNOOKER_Telford_Nightlead.html |archive-date=16 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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[[File:WSoS 2008 Moscow-204.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Selby at the 2008 [[World Series of Snooker]] in Moscow]] |
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On 20 January 2008, Selby won his first major tournament, the [[2008 Masters (snooker)|Masters]] at [[Wembley Arena]] in London.<ref name=WPBSA /> En route to the final, he had edged out [[Stephen Hendry]], [[Stephen Maguire]] and [[Ken Doherty]], all on a 6–5 scoreline.<ref name="snoo_WWWS">{{Cite web |title=SAGA Insurance Masters (2008) |website=snooker.org |access-date=4 December 2020 |url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1003 |archive-date=4 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204231059/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1003 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Masters |url=http://www.snookerscene.co.uk/page.php?id=60 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124071627/http://www.snookerscene.co.uk/page.php?id=60 |archive-date=24 January 2013 |publisher=Snooker Scene |access-date=8 August 2012}}</ref> In the final against Stephen Lee, Selby took control and reeled off eight consecutive frames from 2–3 behind to lead 5–3 at the break and to achieve a decisive 10–3 victory. He produced a high standard of play in the final, compiling four century breaks in total; his final-frame effort, a total clearance of 141, equalled the highest break of the tournament.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/7198650.stm |title=Selby trounces Lee to win Masters |date=20 January 2008 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=7 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820081547/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/7198650.stm |archive-date=20 August 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Selby claimed his first [[Snooker world rankings|world ranking]] title at the [[2008 Welsh Open (snooker)|Welsh Open]] on 17 February 2008, winning a close-fought final 9–8 against Ronnie O'Sullivan after recovering from 5–8 behind.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/7249951.stm |title=Selby comeback stuns O'Sullivan |date=17 February 2008 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=7 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221210812/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/7249951.stm |archive-date=21 February 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> He also was a semi-finalist in the [[2008 China Open (snooker)|China Open]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2008-04/01/content_6581842.htm|title=China Open ends on unseemly note despite 'brilliance'|date=1 April 2008|last=Zhao|first=Rui|publisher=China Daily}}</ref> and a finalist in the inaugural [[2008 Championship League|Championship League]] event.<ref name=ChampLeague>{{cite news|url=https://wst.tv/history-of-the-championship-league|title=History of the Championship League|date=24 May 2020|publisher=World Snooker Tour}}</ref> However, he could not reproduce his Crucible success from the previous season; despite going into the [[2008 World Snooker Championship|2008 World Championship]] as one of the bookmakers' favourites for the title, Selby was defeated 8–10 in the first round by [[Mark King (snooker player)|Mark King]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/apr/22/worldsnookerchampionship.snooker1 |title=King reigns supreme as Selby makes early exit |date=22 April 2008 |first=Les |last=Roopanarine |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=27 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227040607/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/apr/22/worldsnookerchampionship.snooker1 |archive-date=27 February 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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===2008–09 season=== |
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The following season Selby was defeated at the [[2008 Shanghai Masters]], once again in the semi-final stage by the event's eventual winner, this time [[Ricky Walden]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://wst.tv/shanghai-masters-set-for-celebration|title=Shanghai Masters Set For Celebration|date=12 August 2016|publisher=World Snooker Tour}}</ref> Then at the beginning of the new year, he reached the final of the [[2009 Masters (snooker)|Masters]] again, where he was runner-up to Ronnie O'Sullivan, losing the match 8–10 after leading 7–5.<ref name="news_BBCS">{{Cite web |title=O'Sullivan reclaims Masters crown |work=BBC Sport |date=19 January 2009 |access-date=14 October 2020 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7836644.stm |archive-date=28 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228231648/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7836644.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> In the [[2009 Welsh Open (snooker)|Welsh Open]] quarter-finals he was handed a writ by a member of the audience, supposedly his former manager George Barmby. Selby commented that all he could think about was the envelope that had been given to him before he was defeated 3–5 by [[Anthony Hamilton (snooker player)|Anthony Hamilton]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7902914.stm |title=Writ claim disrupts Selby match |work=BBC Sport |date=20 February 2009 |access-date=5 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223100438/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7902914.stm |archive-date=23 February 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> Later on in the season, he made it to the final once more in the [[2009 Championship League]],<ref name=ChampLeague /> and also reached the quarter-finals of the [[2009 World Snooker Championship|2009 World Championship]], losing 12–13 to John Higgins, who went on to win his third world title.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/may/04/john-higgins-world-snooker-championship-shaun-murphy1 |title=John Higgins beats Shaun Murphy to seal world championship title |date=4 May 2009 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=27 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927050932/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/may/04/john-higgins-world-snooker-championship-shaun-murphy1 |archive-date=27 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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===2009–10 season: second Masters title=== |
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Selby recovered from 4–8 behind to beat [[Jamie Cope]] 9–8 in the first round of the [[2009 UK Championship]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/8399137.stm |title=Comeback win over Jamie Cope 'surprises' Mark Selby |date=7 December 2009 |first=Jonny |last=Bryan |work=BBC Sport |access-date=27 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091213132535/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8399137.stm |archive-date=13 December 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> but was beaten in the quarter-finals 3–9, yet again by Ronnie O'Sullivan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.global-snooker.com/professional-tournaments-uk-championship-09-finals.asp |title=Main Event (Results) |publisher=Global Snooker |access-date=17 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100408114749/http://www.global-snooker.com/professional-tournaments-uk-championship-09-finals.asp |archive-date=8 April 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On 17 January 2010, having reached the final for the third time in as many years, he won his second [[2010 Masters (snooker)|Masters]] title, in a repeat of the previous year's final where he had lost to O'Sullivan. This time, after falling behind 6–9, with O'Sullivan needing one more frame for another victory, Selby took the next four frames to win the championship 10–9.<ref name=ukmasters2010>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/8464301.stm |title=Mark Selby shocks Ronnie O'Sullivan at Masters final |access-date=2 April 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=18 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722061646/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8464301.stm |archive-date=22 July 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> He came within reach of his second World Championship final in [[2010 World Snooker Championship|2010]], losing in the semi-finals 14–17 to [[Graeme Dott]], despite pulling up to 10–11 and 13–14.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/8653074.stm |title=Graeme Dott beats Mark Selby to reach Crucible final |date=1 May 2010 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=24 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100503014702/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8653074.stm |archive-date=3 May 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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===2010–11 season=== |
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In July 2010, Selby won the [[2010 Six-red World Championship|Six-red World Championship]] in Bangkok, with an 8–6 victory over Ricky Walden in the final.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wst.tv/six-red-history/ |title=Six Red History |website=wst.tv |date=30 August 2019 |access-date=18 May 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220221250/https://wst.tv/six-red-history/ |archive-date=20 February 2020}}</ref> At the [[2011 China Open (snooker)|2011 China Open]], he beat [[Tian Pengfei]], [[Robert Milkins]], Ali Carter, and home favourite [[Ding Junhui]], but was defeated 8–10 by [[Judd Trump]] in the final.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?template=22&event=27 |title=China Open (2011) results |website=snooker.org |access-date=29 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803165739/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?template=22&event=27 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[2011 World Snooker Championship|2011 World Championship]], he set the record for the most [[century break]]s compiled in a world championship match when he made six in his second-round tie with Stephen Hendry.<ref>{{cite web |title=Selby rewrites the Crucible record books |date=24 April 2011 |work=World Snooker |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2345958,00.html |access-date=24 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427230517/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2345958,00.html |archive-date=27 April 2011}}</ref> This was also a record for a best-of-25-frames match, and took Selby's century tally for the season to 54, setting a new record for the most centuries compiled by one player in a single season.<ref>{{cite news |work=BBC Sport |title=World Snooker: Selby beats Hendry to reach last eight |date=25 April 2011 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/13181061 |access-date=24 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114160553/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/13181061 |archive-date=14 January 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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===2011–12 season=== |
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Selby started the [[2011–12 snooker season|season]] by winning the non-ranking [[2011 Wuxi Classic|Wuxi Classic]] with a 9–7 victory over Ali Carter.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Snooker-Mark-Selby-wins-Wuxi-Classic/story-12922096-detail/story.html |title=Snooker: Mark Selby wins Wuxi Classic |newspaper=Leicester Mercury |date=11 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507063342/http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Snooker-Mark-Selby-wins-Wuxi-Classic/story-12922096-detail/story.html |archive-date=7 May 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He won his second ranking event at the [[2011 Shanghai Masters|Shanghai Masters]], where he defeated Mark Williams 10–9 in the final, winning the last three frames from 7–9 behind.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/snooker/14870798.stm |title=Mark Selby beats Mark Williams to win Shanghai Masters |date=11 September 2011 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=12 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911215930/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/snooker/14870798.stm |archive-date=11 September 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> With this victory, Selby replaced Williams as world number one,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://asia.eurosport.com/snooker/selby-downs-williams_sto2946252/story.shtml |title=Selby exploits Williams error to win in Shanghai |work=Eurosport Asia-Pacific |date=12 September 2011 |access-date=1 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507013138/http://asia.eurosport.com/snooker/selby-downs-williams_sto2946252/story.shtml |archive-date=7 May 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> moving to the top of the world rankings for the first time in his career.<ref name=WPBSA /> |
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[[File:Mark Selby PHC 2011-1.jpg|thumb|Selby at the [[Players Tour Championship 2011/2012 – Event 4|2011 Paul Hunter Classic]]]] |
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He also won the minor-ranking [[Players Tour Championship 2011/2012 – Event 4|PTC Event 4]] (the 2011 edition of the [[Paul Hunter Classic]]); having edged out Ronnie O'Sullivan 4–3 in the semi-finals, he achieved a 4–0 whitewash over [[Mark Davis (snooker player)|Mark Davis]] in the final.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.worldsnooker.com/page/PTC4Article/0,,13165~2436238,00.html |title=Selby Storms To Title |work=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|World Snooker]] |date=30 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103045847/https://www.worldsnooker.com/page/PTC4Article/0,,13165~2436238,00.html |archive-date=3 January 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Selby eventually finished fifth on the [[Players Tour Championship 2011/2012#Order of Merit|PTC Order of Merit]] and therefore qualified to the last 16 of the [[2012 Players Tour Championship Grand Final|PTC Grand Final]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?template=10&season=2011 |title=Order of Merit 2011/2012 |website=snooker.org |date=8 January 2012 |access-date=31 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504060608/http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?template=10&season=2011 |archive-date=4 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He beat Ding Junhui 4–1, before losing 0–4 to eventual winner Stephen Lee in the quarter-finals.<ref>{{cite web |title=Betfair Players Tour Championship Grand Finals (2012) |url=http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=103 |website=snooker.org |access-date=18 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309225019/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=103 |archive-date=9 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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Selby progressed to the quarter-finals of the [[2012 Masters (snooker)|Masters]] in January, where he lost 2–6 to Shaun Murphy.<ref name="Murphy matches">{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?player1=17&player2=97&season=-1 |title=Mark Selby vs Shaun Murphy |last=Årdalen |first=Hermund |website=snooker.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023085020/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?player1=17&player2=97&season=-1 |archive-date=23 October 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> He was defeated by Murphy again the following month, in the quarter-finals of the [[2012 German Masters|German Masters]], losing the match 3–5.<ref name="Murphy matches" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/german-masters/2011-2012/live-selby-m.-murphy-s._mtc503593/live.shtml |title=Selby M. 3–5 Murphy S. German Masters |date=3 February 2012 |work=Eurosport |access-date=2 September 2020 |archive-date=16 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016215141/https://www.eurosport.com/geoblocking.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> After reaching the final of the [[2012 Welsh Open (snooker)|Welsh Open]], where he lost 6–9 to Ding,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/17091924 |title=Welsh Open: China's Ding Junhui beats Mark Selby 9–6 to lift title |work=[[BBC Sport]] |date=19 February 2012 |access-date=1 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301044623/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/17091924 |archive-date=1 March 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> he met Murphy for the third time in less than six weeks, in the quarter-finals of the [[2012 World Open (snooker)|World Open]], this time achieving a 5–0 whitewash.<ref name="Murphy matches" /> However, he then suffered a 5–6 semi-final defeat against [[Mark Allen (snooker player)|Mark Allen]], despite having built up a 5–2 lead.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/17245308 |title=Mark Allen to face Stephen Lee in World Open final |work=[[BBC Sport]] |date=3 March 2012 |access-date=1 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305235804/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/17245308 |archive-date=5 March 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Selby withdrew from the second round of the [[2012 China Open (snooker)|China Open]] because of a neck injury.<ref name="EURONECK">{{cite web |url=https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/29032012/58/selby-withdraws-china-open.html |title=Selby withdraws from China Open |work=[[Eurosport]] |date=29 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507050205/https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/29032012/58/selby-withdraws-china-open.html |archive-date=7 May 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> His decision to withdraw was also a precautionary measure to make sure he was ready for the upcoming [[2012 World Snooker Championship|World Championship]].<ref name="EURONECK" /> He played [[Barry Hawkins]] in the first round and was defeated 3–10. After the match, Selby admitted that he had only managed nine hours of practice in preparation for the tournament, and there were certain shots that he was physically unable to play.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/other-sports/mark-selby-equals-unwanted-record-7681104.html |title=Mark Selby equals unwanted record |newspaper=[[London Evening Standard]] |date=26 April 2012 |access-date=1 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507014827/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/other-sports/mark-selby-equals-unwanted-record-7681104.html |archive-date=7 May 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Despite this disappointment, he finished the season still as world number one.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/1d/b0/0,,13165~176157,00.pdf |title=Official World Snooker Ranking List for the 2012/2013 Season |date=8 May 2012 |work=World Snooker |access-date=23 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616125200/http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/1d/b0/0,,13165~176157,00.pdf |archive-date=16 June 2013}}</ref> |
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===2012–13 season: first UK Championship and third Masters titles=== |
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[[File:Mark Selby Sieger PHC 2012.jpg|thumb|upright|Selby with the [[European Tour 2012/2013 – Event 1|2012 Paul Hunter Classic]] trophy]] |
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Selby announced he felt "90 per cent fit" just before the start of the [[2012–13 snooker season|season]], as he continued his recovery from the disc bulge in his neck.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Snooker-Mark-Selby-90-cent-fit-raring/story-16438875-detail/story.html |title=Snooker: Mark Selby '90 per cent fit and raring to go' |newspaper=Leicester Mercury |date=23 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507045327/http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Snooker-Mark-Selby-90-cent-fit-raring/story-16438875-detail/story.html |archive-date=7 May 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> His first event was the [[2012 Wuxi Classic|Wuxi Classic]] where he played Barry Hawkins in the last 32; having been eliminated from the World Championship by Hawkins two months earlier, Selby this time won 5–2, and then whitewashed Jamie Cope 5–0 to set up a quarter-final match with in-form [[Stuart Bingham]], but lost in the deciding frame 4–5.<ref name="2012/13">{{cite web |url=http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?player=17&season=2012 |title=Mark Selby 2012/2013 |website=snooker.org |access-date=13 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711014543/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?player=17&season=2012 |archive-date=11 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2827261,00.html |title=In Form Bingham Keeps Run Going |work=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|World Snooker]] |date=29 June 2012 |first=Matt |last=Rich |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702031642/https://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2827261,00.html |archive-date=2 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He won seven matches in a row to reach the quarter-finals of the [[2012 Six-red World Championship|Six-red World Championship]], where he was defeated 5–7 by Judd Trump.<ref name="2012/13"/> He then suffered a shock 3–5 first-round defeat to [[Jamie Burnett]] in the [[2012 Australian Goldfields Open|Australian Goldfields Open]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2840595,00.html |title=Brilliant Burnett Knocks Out Selby |work=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|World Snooker]] |date=11 July 2012 |access-date=13 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714043906/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2840595,00.html |archive-date=14 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/18795253 |title=Australian Open 2012: Mark Selby loses to Jamie Burnett |date=11 July 2012 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=21 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815040554/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/18795253 |archive-date=15 August 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Selby lost his world number one ranking on 2 November 2012, when Trump claimed the top spot by reaching the final of the [[2012 International Championship|inaugural International Championship]] in China.<ref name="BBC_Judd">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/20182609 |title=Judd Trump beats Peter Ebdon to become world number one |work=BBC Sport |date=2 November 2012 |access-date=17 October 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506093123/https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/20182609 |archive-date=6 May 2019}}</ref> However, just five weeks later, Selby regained the top ranking position by winning the [[2012 UK Championship|UK Championship]], for his third ranking title and most significant of his career to that date.<ref>{{cite web |title=Official world rankings issued after the williamhill.com UK Championship 2012 |date=10 December 2012 |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/17/ba/0,,13165~178711,00.pdf |work=World Snooker |publisher=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association]] |access-date=10 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121224014925/http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/17/ba/0,,13165~178711,00.pdf |archive-date=24 December 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He defeated [[Michael White (snooker player)|Michael White]] 6–3, [[Ryan Day (snooker player)|Ryan Day]] 6–4 after trailing 0–3, and [[Neil Robertson]] 6–4 from 0–4 behind, to reach the semi-finals. He then defeated Mark Davis 9–4 to progress to the final,<ref>{{cite web |title=UK Championship full results |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/20509114 |work=BBC Sport |date=2 December 2012 |access-date=4 December 2020 |archive-date=31 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131103839/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/20509114 |url-status=live }}</ref> where he beat Shaun Murphy 10–6 to win the tournament.<ref>{{cite web |title=UK Snooker Championship 2012: Mark Selby beats Shaun Murphy |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/20658965 |date=10 December 2012 |first=Shamoon |last=Hafez |work=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=21 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216015941/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/20658965 |archive-date=16 December 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Selby also participated at the [[Players Tour Championship 2012/2013|Players Tour Championship]]. He successfully defended his [[European Tour 2012/2013 – Event 1|Paul Hunter Classic]] title with a 4–1 win over [[Joe Swail]] in the final.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2901339,00.html |title=Selby Retains Classic Title |work=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|World Snooker]] |date=26 August 2012 |access-date=27 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828061825/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2901339,00.html |archive-date=28 August 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> He then lost in the final of the [[European Tour 2012/2013 – Event 2|Antwerp Open]] 1–4 against Mark Allen,<ref>{{cite web |title=Allen Blasts Three Tons in Antwerp Final |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2955533,00.html |work=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|World Snooker]] |date=21 October 2012 |access-date=27 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027025106/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2955533,00.html |archive-date=27 October 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> and won the [[European Tour 2012/2013 – Event 6|Munich Open]] by defeating Graeme Dott 3–4 in the final.<ref>{{cite web |title=Betfair European Tour 6 (Munich Open 2013) draw |url=http://3a43ed9bbf8e4c3a0092-e5ae3e47d460213726cd286f2f322a12.r38.cf3.rackcdn.com/a7cee6b40b9674249b0b0d5b6430f95db_Print.pdf |work=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|World Snooker]] |date=7 January 2013 |access-date=6 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507031837/http://3a43ed9bbf8e4c3a0092-e5ae3e47d460213726cd286f2f322a12.r38.cf3.rackcdn.com/a7cee6b40b9674249b0b0d5b6430f95db_Print.pdf |archive-date=7 May 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He then finished number one on the [[Players Tour Championship 2012/2013#Order of Merit|Order of Merit]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Order of Merit issued after Munich Open 2013 (ET6) |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/7a/ba/0,,13165~178810,00.pdf |work=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|World Snooker]] |date=7 January 2013 |access-date=7 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127034421/http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/7a/ba/0,,13165~178810,00.pdf |archive-date=27 January 2013}}</ref> and qualified for the [[Players Tour Championship 2012/2013 – Finals|Finals]], where he lost 3–4 against [[Jack Lisowski]].<ref>{{cite web |title=2013 Dafabet PTC Grand Final results |url=http://3a43ed9bbf8e4c3a0092-e5ae3e47d460213726cd286f2f322a12.r38.cf3.rackcdn.com/3b0b79e1-b7a0-4dcd-9a5d-5f1445afd017.pdf |work=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|World Snooker]] |date=17 March 2013 |access-date=17 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507031842/http://3a43ed9bbf8e4c3a0092-e5ae3e47d460213726cd286f2f322a12.r38.cf3.rackcdn.com/3b0b79e1-b7a0-4dcd-9a5d-5f1445afd017.pdf |archive-date=7 May 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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[[File:Mark Selby at Snooker German Masters (DerHexer) 2013-01-30 16.jpg|thumb|Selby at the [[2013 German Masters]]]] |
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Selby then won his third [[2013 Masters (snooker)|Masters]] title, beating Bingham 6–5 from 1–5 behind in the first round, Mark Williams 6–1 in the quarter-finals, and Dott 6–5 from 1–4 behind in the semi-finals.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Masters 2013: schedule and results |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/20950536 |work=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=13 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130113035055/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/20950536 |archive-date=13 January 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He then defeated defending champion Neil Robertson 10–6 in the final.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hafez |first=Shamoon |title=Masters snooker final 2013: Mark Selby beats Neil Robertson |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/21110882 |work=[[BBC Sport]] |date=21 January 2013 |access-date=1 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123002647/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/21110882 |archive-date=23 January 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> He reached the quarter-finals of the [[2013 German Masters|German Masters]], but lost 1–5 against Hawkins.<ref>{{cite news |title=German Masters 2013: Schedule and results from Berlin |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/21253174 |work=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=2 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201142207/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/21253174 |archive-date=1 February 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> He lost in the last 32 of the [[2013 Welsh Open (snooker)|Welsh Open]] 0–4 against [[Joe Perry (snooker player)|Joe Perry]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Welsh Open 2013: Schedule and results from Newport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/21402731 |work=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=16 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216003945/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/21402731 |archive-date=16 February 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> and lost his number one position to Trump.<ref>{{cite web |title=Updated Rankings – Trump Back on Top |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~3081190,00.html |work=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|World Snooker]] |date=19 February 2013 |access-date=19 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222045653/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~3081190,00.html |archive-date=22 February 2013}}</ref> Selby then reached the quarter-finals of the [[2013 World Open (snooker)|World Open]], but lost 3–5 against Robertson.<ref>{{cite news |title=Haikou Open 2013: Schedule and results from China |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/21524925 |work=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=25 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227170152/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/21524925 |archive-date=27 February 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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At the [[2013 China Open (snooker)|China Open]], Selby became only the fourth player in history to miss the final black on a 147 attempt, and only the second – after Ken Doherty – to do so in a televised match, in a 5–1 defeat of Mark King.<ref>{{cite web |title=China Open: Mark Selby misses final black on 147 attempt |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/21953344 |work=[[BBC Sport]] |date=27 March 2013 |access-date=1 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330004130/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/21953344 |archive-date=30 March 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Selby Through Despite Black Blunder |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~3123662,00.html |work=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|World Snooker]] |date=27 March 2013 |access-date=1 April 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330092057/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~3123662,00.html |archive-date=30 March 2013}}</ref> He then reached the final by defeating Ricky Walden 5–2, Williams 5–1 and Murphy 6–2, but lost 6–10 against Robertson.<ref>{{cite web |title=2013 China Open results |url=http://3a43ed9bbf8e4c3a0092-e5ae3e47d460213726cd286f2f322a12.r38.cf3.rackcdn.com/c585315d-822c-43f9-89d9-c59ee6641d20.pdf |work=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|World Snooker]] |date=31 March 2013 |access-date=31 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411224738/http://3a43ed9bbf8e4c3a0092-e5ae3e47d460213726cd286f2f322a12.r38.cf3.rackcdn.com/c585315d-822c-43f9-89d9-c59ee6641d20.pdf |archive-date=11 April 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> After the event he regained the number one spot from Trump. He finished off the season at the [[2013 World Snooker Championship|World Championship]], where he beat [[Matthew Selt]] 10–4 in the first round,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/22284902 |title=World Snooker Championship 2013: Mark Selby goes through |date=24 April 2013 |first=Shamoon |last=Hafez |work=BBC Sport |access-date=27 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227195451/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/22284902 |archive-date=27 February 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> before losing 10–13 to Hawkins in the second round.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/22322954 |title=World Snooker Championship 2013: Hawkins knocks out Selby |date=27 April 2013 |first=Shamoon |last=Hafez |work=BBC Sport |access-date=27 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010214024/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/22322954 |archive-date=10 October 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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===2013–14 season: first World Championship title=== |
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In the first ranking event of the [[2013–14 snooker season|season]], Selby was subjected to a 3–5 defeat to [[Andrew Pagett]] in the qualifying rounds of the [[2013 Wuxi Classic|Wuxi Classic]] in China.<ref name="BBC 2013 Wuxi">{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/22682698 |title=Mark Selby suffers Wuxi Classic defeat by Andrew Pagett |access-date=1 June 2013 |date=27 May 2013 |work=[[BBC Sport]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011105543/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/22682698 |archive-date=11 October 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> The tournament was the first to use a new format requiring the top 16 players to compete in the qualifying rounds at most ranking events.<ref name="BBC 2013 Wuxi" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/20790857 |title=Top 16 players to play from first round in ranking events |work=BBC Sport |date=19 December 2012 |access-date=23 August 2020 |archive-date=3 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403030151/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/20790857 |url-status=live }}</ref> In minor-ranking tournaments, he was runner-up at the [[Asian Tour 2013/2014 – Event 1|Yixing Open]], losing 1–4 to Joe Perry,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://au.eurosport.com/snooker/perry-downs-selby-to-claim-yixing-title_sto3803588/story.shtml |title=Perry downs Selby to claim Yixing title |date=16 June 2013 |work=[[Eurosport]] |access-date=18 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507012939/http://au.eurosport.com/snooker/perry-downs-selby-to-claim-yixing-title_sto3803588/story.shtml |archive-date=7 May 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> and at the [[European Tour 2013/2014 – Event 2|Rotterdam Open]], where he lost 3–4 to Mark Williams.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www1.skysports.com/snooker/news/12243/8834960/rotterdam-open-mark-williams-beats-mark-selby-in-final-to-end-title-drought |title=Rotterdam Open: Mark Williams beats Mark Selby in final to end title drought |date=21 July 2013 |work=[[Sky Sports]] |access-date=18 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507030813/http://www1.skysports.com/snooker/news/12243/8834960/rotterdam-open-mark-williams-beats-mark-selby-in-final-to-end-title-drought |archive-date=7 May 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> He won the [[European Tour 2013/2014 – Event 7|Antwerp Open]] in November, defeating Ronnie O'Sullivan 4–3 in the final.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www1.skysports.com/snooker/news/12243/9029711/mark-selby-beats-ronnie-osullivan-in-antwerp-open-final |title=Mark Selby beats Ronnie O'Sullivan in Antwerp Open final |date=17 November 2013 |work=[[Sky Sports]] |access-date=18 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507030725/http://www1.skysports.com/snooker/news/12243/9029711/mark-selby-beats-ronnie-osullivan-in-antwerp-open-final |archive-date=7 May 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Having won the UK Championship and Masters in the previous season, Selby qualified to take part in the [[2013 Champion of Champions|first edition]] of the revived [[Champion of Champions (snooker)|Champion of Champions]] competition,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.championofchampionssnooker.co.uk/profiles/mark_selby.htm |title=Player Profile – Mark Selby |website=championofchampionssnooker.co.uk |access-date=29 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131222195737/http://www.championofchampionssnooker.co.uk/profiles/mark_selby.htm |archive-date=22 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> where he lost to Stuart Bingham in the semi-finals 4–6.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=280 |title=888casino Champion of Champions (2013) |first=Hermund |last=Årdalen |website=snooker.org |access-date=29 August 2020 |archive-date=3 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203021607/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=280 |url-status=live }}</ref> Defending his title at the [[2013 UK Championship|UK Championship]] in December, Selby compiled snooker's 100th officially recognised [[maximum break]] in professional competition,<ref name="worldsnooker.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/wpbsa/official-147s/ |title=Official 147s |work=World Snooker |access-date=8 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121161058/http://www.worldsnooker.com/wpbsa/official-147s/ |archive-date=21 November 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> in the seventh frame of his semi-final against Ricky Walden.<ref name="Sky Sports 100th 147">{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/snooker/news/12243/9062649 |title=UK Championship: Mark Selby scored a 147 on the way to semi-final victory |work=Sky Sports |date=7 December 2013 |access-date=16 May 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140119042258/http://www1.skysports.com/snooker/news/12243/9062649/ |archive-date=19 January 2014}}</ref> He received £55,000 for the achievement, in addition to the tournament's highest break prize of £4,000.<ref name="Sky Sports 100th 147" /><ref>{{cite web |title=UK Snooker Championship 2013: Selby makes 100th 147 break |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/25284182 |work=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=18 March 2014 |date=7 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122193803/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/25284182 |archive-date=22 January 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> The next day, he lost 7–10 to world number one Neil Robertson in the final, having been ahead 5–1 and 6–3, missing his chance to regain the top position in the world rankings.<ref>{{cite web |title=UK Snooker Championship 2013: Neil Robertson beats Mark Selby |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/25292566 |work=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=18 March 2014 |date=8 December 2013 |first=Shamoon |last=Hafez |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140205231845/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/25292566 |archive-date=5 February 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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[[File:Mark Selby at Snooker German Masters (DerHexer) 2015-02-08 38.jpg|thumb|Selby at [[2014 German Masters]]]] |
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He began the defence of his title at the [[2014 Masters (snooker)|Masters]] by defeating Mark Davis in the first round and John Higgins in the quarter-finals, winning both matches 6–5 and extending his unbeaten record in deciding frames at the Masters to 11.<ref>{{cite web |title=Masters 2014: Mark Selby and John Higgins into quarter-finals |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/25705472 |work=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=29 January 2014 |date=12 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113145624/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/25705472 |archive-date=13 January 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=undefeatedMasters>{{cite web |title=Masters 2014: Mark Selby beats John Higgins 6–5 in thriller |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/25761630 |work=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=29 January 2014 |date=17 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116234030/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/25761630 |archive-date=16 January 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> He then beat Shaun Murphy 6–1 in the semi-finals to reach the final against O'Sullivan.<ref>{{cite web |title=Masters 2014: Mark Selby to face Ronnie O'Sullivan in final |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/25795123 |work=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=29 January 2014 |date=18 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201150450/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/25795123 |archive-date=1 February 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> After falling behind 1–7 in the first session, Selby lost the final 4–10, receiving the runner-up prize of £90,000.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ronnie O'Sullivan wins fifth Masters title by beating Mark Selby |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/25802468 |work=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=29 January 2014 |date=19 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201192233/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/25802468 |archive-date=1 February 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[2014 German Masters|German Masters]] two weeks later, he was eliminated in the second round by [[Kurt Maflin]] 5–3.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/25971664 |title=Mark Selby & Neil Robertson beaten at German Masters |date=30 January 2014 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=31 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231092933/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/25971664 |url-status=live }}</ref> He defeated [[Alan McManus]] 5–1 in the quarter-finals of the [[2014 World Open (snooker)|World Open]], and [[Marco Fu]] 6–4 in the semi-finals, but lost 6–10 in the final to Murphy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=285 |title=Gujinggong Liquor Haikou World Open (2014) |website=snooker.org |access-date=9 December 2013 |archive-date=25 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025164549/http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=285 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/26601655 |title=Shaun Murphy holds off Mark Selby to win Haikou World Open |work=[[BBC Sport]] |date=16 March 2014 |access-date=12 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924232812/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/26601655 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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At the [[2014 World Snooker Championship|World Championship]], Selby defeated Michael White 10–9, Ali Carter 13–9, and McManus 13–5 to reach his first semi-final at the Crucible since 2010,<ref name="bbc._Worl">{{Cite news |title=World Snooker Championship 2014: Scores and results |work=BBC Sport |access-date=15 October 2020 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/27073924 |archive-date=2 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402201048/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/27073924 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www1.skysports.com/snooker/news/12243/9292135/world-championship-ronnie-osullivan-and-mark-selby-make-strong-start-to-semi-finals |title=World Championship: Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Selby made strong starts in semi-finals |work=[[Sky Sports]] |date=2 May 2014 |access-date=6 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506095923/http://www1.skysports.com/snooker/news/12243/9292135/world-championship-ronnie-osullivan-and-mark-selby-make-strong-start-to-semi-finals |archive-date=6 May 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> where he met Robertson in a repeat of the UK Championship final five months earlier. This time Selby achieved a 17–15 victory to reach his second World Championship final and first for seven years.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/may/03/neil-robertson-mark-selby-world-snooker-championship |title=Mark Selby holds off Neil Robertson to reach final with Ronnie O'Sullivan |agency=Press Association |date=3 May 2014 |access-date=13 January 2020 |newspaper=The Guardian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113214202/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/may/03/neil-robertson-mark-selby-world-snooker-championship |archive-date=13 January 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> His opponent in the final was defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan, who had held the world title for the past two years and had won all five of his previous world finals.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hall of Fame |url=http://www.snooker.org/Trn/hof.asp?pEvent=World |website=snooker.org |access-date=24 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728220548/http://www.snooker.org/trn/hof.asp?pEvent=World |archive-date=28 July 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=TelegraphIndia /> Selby appeared "jaded" on the first day after a tough semi-final battle with Robertson the day before.<ref name=BBC20140505 /> O'Sullivan led 3–0, 8–3, and 10–5, but Selby then won six frames in a row to lead for the first time, eventually sealing an 18–14 victory for his first world title.<ref name=TelegraphIndia>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140506/jsp/sports/story_18312087.jsp |title=Great fightback by Mark Selby – O'Sullivan loses five of the six frames |newspaper=[[The Telegraph (Kolkata)|The Telegraph (India)]] |publisher=[[ABP Group]] |date=6 May 2014 |access-date=6 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518151500/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140506/jsp/sports/story_18312087.jsp |archive-date=18 May 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/27289016 |title=World Snooker Championship 2014: Mark Selby wins style battle |date=6 May 2014 |first=Ben |last=Dirs |work=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=6 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507025202/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/27289016 |archive-date=7 May 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> He dedicated the win to his late father who had died when Selby was 16.<ref name=BBC20140505 /><ref name="Guardian2014">{{cite news|last=Weaver|first=Paul|date=6 May 2014|title=Mark Selby says snooker world title win fulfils promise made to late father|newspaper=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/may/06/mark-selby-fulfilled-promise-to-dying-father|url-status=live|access-date=3 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413012112/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/may/06/mark-selby-fulfilled-promise-to-dying-father|archive-date=13 April 2016}}</ref> With his World Championship victory, Selby became the ninth player to win snooker's [[Triple Crown (snooker)|Triple Crown]] of World, UK and Masters titles;<ref name=BBC20140505>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/27286638 |title=Mark Selby beats Ronnie O'Sullivan to win world title |date=5 May 2014 |first=Ben |last=Dirs |work=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=6 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506143710/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/27286638 |archive-date=6 May 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="RTE2014">{{cite web|date=7 May 2014|title=Mark Selby reveals the path he took to becoming world champion|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2014/0507/615692-s/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605155911/https://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2014/0507/615692-s/|archive-date=5 June 2020|access-date=3 April 2020|website=[[RTÉ.ie]]}}</ref> he also returned to the world number one position.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/snooker/sport/story/305333.html |title=Selby caps stunning comeback to win world title |website=[[ESPN (UK)|ESPN]] |date=5 May 2014 |access-date=6 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506055557/http://www.espn.co.uk/snooker/sport/story/305333.html |archive-date=6 May 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><!--also the 12th player to win the World and UK Championship "double" in their career.{{cn|date=August 2020}}--> |
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===2014–15 season=== |
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[[File:German Masters 2015 champion Mark Selby with trophy (Martin Rulsch).jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Selby with [[2015 German Masters]] trophy]] |
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At the first ranking event of the [[2014–15 snooker season|season]], the [[2014 Wuxi Classic|Wuxi Classic]], Selby lost 3–5 to [[Liang Wenbo]] in the last 32.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wuxi Classic: Mark Selby loses to Liang Wenbo in China |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/28027795 |work=[[BBC Sport]] |date=25 June 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018015252/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/28027795 |archive-date=18 October 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> He won the minor-ranking [[European Tour 2014/2015 – Event 1|Riga Open]] in August, defeating Mark Allen 4–3 in the final,<ref>{{cite web |title=Selby Takes Riga Title |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~4065459,00.html |work=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|World Snooker]] |date=10 August 2014 |access-date=11 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812211721/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~4065459,00.html |archive-date=12 August 2014}}</ref> but was defeated by Allen the following month in a final-frame {{cuegloss|deciding frame|decider}} in the semi-finals of the ranking [[2014 Shanghai Masters (snooker)|Shanghai Masters]] tournament.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shanghai Masters: Mark Allen to face Stuart Bingham in final |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/29189910 |work=[[BBC Sport]] |date=13 September 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916052803/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/29189910 |archive-date=16 September 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> He made an unexpected early exit from the ranking [[2014 International Championship|International Championship]], when he was eliminated in the last 128 by 19-year-old tour rookie [[Oliver Lines]], who had recovered from 0–4 behind to defeat him 6–4.<ref>{{cite web |title=Selby Falls Behind Enemy Lines |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~4170432,00.html |work=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|World Snooker]] |date=25 September 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030094340/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~4170432,00.html |archive-date=30 October 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> Selby reached the quarter-finals of the invitational [[2014 Champion of Champions|Champion of Champions]] tournament in November, but lost 1–6 against Judd Trump.<ref>{{cite web |title=Trump sinks Selby title hopes |url=https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/article/663/9550300/champion-of-champions-snooker-judd-trump-thrashes-mark-selby |work=[[Sporting Life (British newspaper)|Sporting Life]] |date=4 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141120073239/https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/article/663/9550300/champion-of-champions-snooker-judd-trump-thrashes-mark-selby |archive-date=20 November 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He had a disappointing run at the [[2014 UK Championship|UK Championship]], losing 4–6 to [[David Morris (snooker player)|David Morris]] in the last 64.<ref>{{cite web |title=UK Championship 2014: David Morris beats Mark Selby |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/30259291 |work=[[BBC Sport]] |date=29 November 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141130210818/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/30259291 |archive-date=30 November 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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In his first-round encounter with Shaun Murphy at the [[2015 Masters (snooker)|Masters]] in January, Selby fell 1–5 behind before recovering to draw level at 5–5, but then lost the match in the deciding frame. This was the first time he had ever lost a deciding frame at the Masters, having won the match 6–5 on all 11 previous occasions.<ref name=undefeatedMasters/><ref>{{cite web |title=Masters 2015: Mark Selby beaten by Shaun Murphy in first round |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/30770807 |work=[[BBC Sport]] |date=11 January 2015 |access-date=12 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112165232/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/30770807 |archive-date=12 January 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> The following month, Selby won his fifth ranking title at the [[2015 German Masters|German Masters]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Selby Takes German Glory |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~4473231,00.html |work=World Snooker |date=8 February 2015 |access-date=19 October 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209232929/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~4473231,00.html |archive-date=9 February 2015 }}</ref> He defeated Trump 5–4 in the quarter-finals, despite Trump making his second career 147 in the fifth frame of the match; this was the fifth time that Selby had witnessed an opponent completing a maximum against him (including both of Trump's), the most witnessed by any player.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/German-Masters-Judd-Trump-racks-second-career-147/story-25990306-detail/story.html |title=German Masters: Judd Trump racks up second career 147 in quarter-final defeat to Mark Selby |date=7 February 2015 |first=Luke |last=Baker |newspaper=[[Bath Chronicle]] |access-date=3 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518104823/http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/German-Masters-Judd-Trump-racks-second-career-147/story-25990306-detail/story.html |archive-date=18 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/31176105 |title=German Masters: Judd Trump hits maximum in defeat to Mark Selby |work=[[BBC Sport]] |date=6 February 2015 |access-date=5 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407042516/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/31176105 |archive-date=7 April 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the final, he came from 2–5 down against Murphy to win 9–7 and claim the title.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/31263089 |title=Mark Selby beats Shaun Murphy to win German Masters title |work=[[BBC Sport]] |date=8 February 2015 |access-date=5 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150313102944/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/31263089 |archive-date=13 March 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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At the [[2015 China Open (snooker)|China Open]] in April, Selby became the first player to win a second ranking title in the 2014–15 season; after advancing to the final without meeting any player inside the world's top 16, he outplayed world number 56 [[Gary Wilson (snooker player)|Gary Wilson]] to win 10–2.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~4616182,00.html |title=Selby Storms to China Title |work=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|World Snooker]] |date=8 April 2015 |access-date=5 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150410105617/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~4616182,00.html |archive-date=10 April 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> He then began his title defence at the [[2015 World Snooker Championship|World Championship]], with no first-time world champion having successfully defended the title the following year, and no winner of the China Open having won the World Championship in the same season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www1.skysports.com/snooker/news/12040/9805198/mark-selby-steels-himself-for-sheffield-defence-of-world-championship |title=Mark Selby steels himself for Sheffield defence of World Championship |work=[[Sky Sports]] |date=25 April 2015 |access-date=29 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503051223/http://www1.skysports.com/snooker/news/12040/9805198/mark-selby-steels-himself-for-sheffield-defence-of-world-championship |archive-date=3 May 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> He led Kurt Maflin 8–4 in the first round, before Maflin won the next five frames to lead 9–8, but Selby took the 18th frame and the decider to win the match 10–9. His reign as World Champion ended in the second round, however, with a 9–13 defeat to [[Anthony McGill]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/apr/19/mark-selby-kurt-maflin-snooker-world-championship-sheffield-crucible |title=Mark Selby relies on instinct to survive Crucible scare against Kurt Maflin |date=19 April 2015 |agency=Press Association |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=29 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505062536/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/apr/19/mark-selby-kurt-maflin-snooker-world-championship-sheffield-crucible |archive-date=5 May 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/32459068 |title=Anthony McGill can win world snooker title, says Mark Selby |date=24 April 2015 |first=Owen |last=Phillips |work=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=29 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429000637/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/32459068 |archive-date=29 April 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> Despite this setback, he finished the season as world number one for the fourth year running.<ref>{{cite web |title=World Rankings After 2015 Betfred World Championship |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/rankings/ |work=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|World Snooker]] |access-date=8 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507001308/http://www.worldsnooker.com/rankings/ |archive-date=7 May 2015 |url-status=unfit}}</ref><ref name="2016 WC"/> |
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===2015–16 season: second World Championship title=== |
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At the [[2015 International Championship]], Selby reached the semi-finals but then lost 4–9 to John Higgins.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/snooker/john-higgins-beats-mark-selby-to-reach-daqing-final-1-3934889 |title=John Higgins beats Mark Selby to reach Daqing final |work=[[The Scotsman]] |date=2 November 2015 |access-date=30 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819105451/http://www.scotsman.com/sport/snooker/john-higgins-beats-mark-selby-to-reach-daqing-final-1-3934889 |archive-date=19 August 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> He did not drop a frame in reaching the third round of the [[2015 UK Championship|UK Championship]] where he defeated [[Jamie Jones (snooker player)|Jamie Jones]] 6–5, later acknowledging that his opponent had deserved to win the match.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/14114176.UK_Championship__World_number_one_Mark_Selby_scrapes_through_in_final_frame_thriller_with_Jamie_Jones/ |title=UK Championship: World number one Mark Selby scrapes through in final frame thriller with Jamie Jones |date=1 December 2015 |first=Steve |last=Carroll |newspaper=[[The Press (York)|The Press]] |access-date=30 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505130512/http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/14114176.UK_Championship__World_number_one_Mark_Selby_scrapes_through_in_final_frame_thriller_with_Jamie_Jones/ |archive-date=5 May 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He then eliminated [[Dechawat Poomjaeng]] and Matthew Selt both 6–1, before being whitewashed 6–0 by Neil Robertson in the semi-finals.<ref name="snoo_Betw">{{Cite web |title=Betway UK Championship (2015) - snooker.org |last=Årdalen |first=Hermund |work=snooker.org |access-date=15 October 2020 |url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=410 |language=no |archive-date=18 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718174411/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=410 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/robertson-crushes-selby-in-york/ |title=Robertson Crushes Selby in York |work=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|World Snooker]] |date=5 December 2015 |access-date=30 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816161752/http://www.worldsnooker.com/robertson-crushes-selby-in-york/ |archive-date=16 August 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> In early 2016, Selby lost to Ronnie O'Sullivan in the quarter-finals of both the [[2016 Masters (snooker)|Masters]] and [[2016 Welsh Open (snooker)|Welsh Open]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/ronnie-o-sullivan-masters-mark-selby-to-make-final-four-at-alexandra-palace_sto5059219/story.shtml |title=Ronnie O'Sullivan masters Mark Selby to make final four at Alexandra Palace |date=14 January 2016 |first=Toby |last=Keel |work=[[Eurosport]] |access-date=30 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812230116/http://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/ronnie-o-sullivan-masters-mark-selby-to-make-final-four-at-alexandra-palace_sto5059219/story.shtml |archive-date=12 August 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/35544725 |title=Welsh Open 2016: Scores and results |work=BBC Sport |access-date=21 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222135453/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/35544725 |archive-date=22 February 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> but won the [[European Tour 2015/2016 – Event 6|Gdynia Open]] with a 4–1 victory over [[Martin Gould]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.snookerdatabase.co.uk/EventResults.aspx?EventKey=458 |title=2016 Gdynia Open Results |website=Snooker Database |access-date=21 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705103448/http://www.snookerdatabase.co.uk/EventResults.aspx?EventKey=458 |archive-date=5 July 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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In March, he withdrew from the [[2016 Players Tour Championship Final|PTC Finals]] and [[2016 China Open (snooker)|China Open]] for personal reasons.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://snookerhq.com/2016/03/18/selby-withdraws-from-players-championship-and-china-open/ |title=Selby Withdraws from Players Championship and China Open |first=David |last=Caulfield |date=18 March 2016 |website=SnookerHQ |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322211313/https://snookerhq.com/2016/03/18/selby-withdraws-from-players-championship-and-china-open/ |archive-date=22 March 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Returning to the tour at the [[2016 World Snooker Championship|World Championship]] in April, he beat Robert Milkins 10–6, [[Sam Baird]] 13–11, and [[Kyren Wilson]] 13–8, to face Marco Fu in the semi-finals.<ref name="snoo_Betf">{{Cite web |title=Betfred World Championship (2016) - snooker.org |last=Årdalen |first=Hermund |work=snooker.org |access-date=15 October 2020 |url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=416 |language=no |archive-date=4 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504222430/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=416 |url-status=live }}</ref> Selby drew level at 12–12 after winning a 76-minute frame, the longest in Crucible history, and won the match 17–15 with a successful {{cuegloss|snooker}} on the {{cuegloss|brown ball}} in the final frame.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/36177534 |title=World Snooker Championship: Mark Selby reaches the final |date=1 May 2016 |first=Owen |last=Phillips |work=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=31 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503043038/http://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/36177534 |archive-date=3 May 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> He took an early 6–0 lead over Ding Junhui in the final, eventually winning the match 18–14 to claim his second world title. With his World Championship victory, Selby finished at number one in the world rankings for the fifth consecutive year.<ref name="2016 WC">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/36186995 |title=Mark Selby beats Ding Junhui to win World Snooker Championship |date=2 May 2016 |first=Shamoon |last=Hafez |work=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=31 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502214204/http://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/36186995 |archive-date=2 May 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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===2016–17 season: third World Championship and second UK Championship wins=== |
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[[File:Mark Selby at 2016 European Masters.jpg|thumb|Selby at [[2016 European Masters]] in [[Bucharest]], Romania]] |
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Selby won his first ranking title of the [[2016–17 snooker season|season]] at the [[2016 Paul Hunter Classic|Paul Hunter Classic]], beating [[Tom Ford (snooker player)|Tom Ford]] 4–2 in the final.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/37210994 |title=Mark Selby wins snooker's Paul Hunter Classic in Germany |date=28 August 2016 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=21 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402112407/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/37210994 |archive-date=2 April 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> His semi-final against Stuart Bingham at the [[2016 Shanghai Masters|Shanghai Masters]] in September, was a meeting between the top-two ranked players in the world, Selby winning 6–5, having trailed 3–5.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/selby-edges-bingham-to-reach-final/ |title=Selby Edges Bingham to Reach Final |work=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|World Snooker]] |date=24 September 2016 |access-date=3 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002214214/http://www.worldsnooker.com/selby-edges-bingham-to-reach-final/ |archive-date=2 October 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> After taking an early 3–1 advantage over Ding Junhui in the final, he eventually lost the match 6–10.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/37467459 |title=Shanghai Masters: Ding Junhui beats world champion Mark Selby in final |work=[[BBC Sport]] |date=25 September 2016 |access-date=3 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928053802/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/37467459 |archive-date=28 September 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> The following month, he was defeated 2–6 by Judd Trump in the semi-finals of the [[2016 European Masters|European Masters]].<ref name="2016/17">{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?player=17&season=2016 |title=Mark Selby 2016/2017 |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106015416/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?player=17&season=2016 |archive-date=6 January 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> He then won 9–3 in another semi-final encounter with Bingham, to reach the final of the [[2016 International Championship|International Championship]] in Daqing, China, winning the event for the first time by overcoming Ding 10–1; Selby dominated their encounter, winning all of the last seven frames, in the most one-sided ranking event final since the 2012 World Open when Mark Allen had defeated Stephen Lee by the same scoreline. Selby made seven 50+ breaks, while Ding's highest was just 47.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rkgsnooker.com/news/selby-dismissed-ding-in-daqing/news-36 |title=Selby Dismissed Ding in Daqing |year=2017 |website=RKG Snooker |access-date=21 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221121329/https://www.rkgsnooker.com/news/selby-dismissed-ding-in-daqing/news-36 |archive-date=21 February 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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At the [[2016 UK Championship|UK Championship]], he defeated John Higgins 6–5 in a high-quality quarter-final match that lasted five hours; Selby won on the colours in the deciding frame.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/dec/02/mark-selby-defeats-john-higgins-quarter-final-uk-championship |title=Mark Selby defeats John Higgins 6–5 after nail-biting deciding frame |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=2 December 2016 |agency=Press Association |access-date=5 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308065016/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/dec/02/mark-selby-defeats-john-higgins-quarter-final-uk-championship |archive-date=8 March 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> After despatching Shaun Murphy 6–2 in the semi-finals,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/uk-championship/2016-2017/mark-selby-ends-shaun-murphy-hopes-to-reach-third-uk-championship-final_sto5970233/story.shtml |title=Mark Selby ends Shaun Murphy hopes to reach third UK Championship Final |date=3 December 2016 |work=Eurosport UK |access-date=27 October 2020}}</ref> he developed a 7–2 advantage over Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final of the event, which decreased to 7–4, followed by four breaks of 130 or more over the next five frames—two by each player—bringing the score to 9–7 in Selby's favour. He finished the match with a 107 break to claim his second UK title, completing the second Triple Crown of his career.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/38201842 |title=Mark Selby beats Ronnie O'Sullivan to win UK Championship final |date=4 December 2016 |first=Shamoon |last=Hafez |work=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=4 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204184115/http://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/38201842 |archive-date=4 December 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> After failing to progress to the semi-final stage of any of the next seven tournaments, he made it through to the final of the [[2017 China Open (snooker)|China Open]] in April, where he took the final three frames against Mark Williams to win 10–8 and claim his fourth ranking title of the season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/selby-king-beijing/ |title=Selby King in Beijing |work=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|World Snooker]] |date=2 April 2017 |access-date=14 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403014509/http://www.worldsnooker.com/selby-king-beijing/ |archive-date=3 April 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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In the quarter-finals of the [[2017 World Snooker Championship|World Championship]], he defeated Marco Fu 13–3 with a {{cuegloss|session to spare}}.<ref name="bbc._Selb">{{Cite web |title=World Championship 2017: Mark Selby, John Higgins reach semis |last=Phillips |first=Owen |work=BBC Sport |date=26 April 2017 |access-date=15 October 2020 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/39720225 |archive-date=5 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605210329/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/39720225 |url-status=live }}</ref> He faced Ding in the semi-finals, taking a 16–13 lead before Ding closed the gap to 15–16 behind; Selby then won the 32nd frame to reach his third world final in four years.<ref name=WST20170429>{{cite web |url=https://wst.tv/selby-beats-ding-classic-semi-final/ |title=Selby Beats Ding in Classic Semi-final |work=World Snooker |date=29 April 2017 |access-date=14 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220224818/https://wst.tv/selby-beats-ding-classic-semi-final/ |archive-date=20 February 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> In a repeat of the 2007 final against John Higgins, which Selby had lost 13–18,<ref name=WST20170429 /> he fell behind 4–10 before recovering to win 12 of the next 14 frames, eventually closing out the match 18–15 to win his third World Championship, becoming the fourth player—after [[Steve Davis]], Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan—to retain the world title at the Crucible. This was Selby's fifth ranking title of the season, tying him with Hendry and Ding as the only players to have won five ranking events in a single season.<ref name="WS_2017 world final">{{cite web |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/selby-conquers-crucible/ |title=Selby Conquers the Crucible Again |work=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|World Snooker]] |date=1 May 2017 |access-date=2 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502060825/http://www.worldsnooker.com/selby-conquers-crucible/ |archive-date=2 May 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Selby earned £932,000 during the 2016–17 season, a record amount of prize money for any one season.<ref name="WS_2017 world final" /> |
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===2017–18 season=== |
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In the [[2017–18 snooker season]], Selby was eliminated in the first round of the [[2017 Hong Kong Masters|Hong Kong Masters]] after a 3–5 defeat to eventual champion Neil Robertson.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/hong-kong-masters-2017/88696 |title=Hong Kong Masters snooker 2017: Draw, TV schedule, results & betting odds |date=23 July 2017 |work=Sporting Life |access-date=23 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223225328/https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/hong-kong-masters-2017/88696 |archive-date=23 February 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> His first ranking tournament of the season was the [[2017 China Championship (snooker)|China Championship]] where he was defeated 4–5 by [[Zhou Yuelong]] in the second round.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/zhou-upsets-selby-guangzhou/ |title=Zhou Upsets Selby in Guangzhou |work=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|World Snooker]] |date=18 August 2017 |access-date=4 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205072700/http://www.worldsnooker.com/zhou-upsets-selby-guangzhou/ |archive-date=5 February 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> He failed to progress past the fourth round of the [[2017 Paul Hunter Classic|Paul Hunter Classic]] in defence of his title, losing 1–4 to eventual champion Michael White.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/41069526/ |title=Paul Hunter Classic 2017: Michael White beats Shaun Murphy in final |work=[[BBC Sport]] |date=27 August 2017 |access-date=4 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218085559/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/41069526 |archive-date=18 February 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> He was defeated 2–5 by [[Lee Walker]] in the first round of the [[2017 World Open (snooker)|World Open]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/41325497 |title=Mark Selby: World number one loses to Lee Walker at Yushan World Open |work=[[BBC Sport]] |date=19 September 2017 |access-date=4 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208035527/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/41325497 |archive-date=8 December 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> followed by a 2–4 defeat to Stuart Bingham in the quarter-finals of the [[2017 European Masters (snooker)|European Masters]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/european-masters/2017-2018/stuart-bingham-ousts-mark-selby-judd-trump-fends-off-mark-allen-fightback-to-make-semi-finals_sto6357828/story.shtml |title=Stuart Bingham ousts Mark Selby, Judd Trump fends off Mark Allen fightback to make semi-finals |work=[[Eurosport]] |date=6 October 2017 |access-date=4 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205072824/https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/european-masters/2017-2018/stuart-bingham-ousts-mark-selby-judd-trump-fends-off-mark-allen-fightback-to-make-semi-finals_sto6357828/story.shtml |archive-date=5 February 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> and a third round exit at the [[2017 English Open (snooker)|English Open]] where he lost 1–4 to [[Xiao Guodong]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://theoldgreenbaize.com/2017/10/19/english-open-blown-wide-open-as-mark-selby-suffers-surprise-defeat/ |title=English Open blown wide open as Mark Selby suffers surprise defeat |first=Nigel |last=Slater |date=19 October 2017 |website=The Old Green Baize |access-date=4 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205072436/https://theoldgreenbaize.com/2017/10/19/english-open-blown-wide-open-as-mark-selby-suffers-surprise-defeat/ |archive-date=5 February 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Selby successfully defended his [[2017 International Championship|International Championship]] title in November, to claim his first ranking title of the season. After surviving a fightback from Mark Allen, who trailed 3–8 and 7–9 in the final, Selby prevailed 10–7.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/41877821/ |title=International Championship: Mark Selby retains title by beating Mark Allen 10–7 |work=[[BBC Sport]] |date=5 November 2017 |access-date=4 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171221075243/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/41877821 |archive-date=21 December 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/other-sport/leicesters-mark-selby-back-winning-734868 |title=Leicester's Mark Selby back to winning ways with International Championship crown |date=6 November 2017 |first=Jon |last=Paul |website=[[Leicester Mercury|LeicestershireLive]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221140449/https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/other-sport/leicesters-mark-selby-back-winning-734868 |archive-date=21 February 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> As reigning World Snooker Champion, he qualified automatically for the [[2017 Champion of Champions]], but was defeated 4–6 in the quarter-finals by [[Luca Brecel]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/champion-of-champions/2017-2018/luca-brecel-holds-nerve-to-stun-mark-selby-in-reaching-champion-of-champions-semi-finals_sto6403721/story.shtml |title=Luca Brecel holds nerve to stun Mark Selby in reaching Champion of Champions semi-finals |work=[[Eurosport]] |date=8 November 2017 |access-date=4 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205130102/https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/champion-of-champions/2017-2018/luca-brecel-holds-nerve-to-stun-mark-selby-in-reaching-champion-of-champions-semi-finals_sto6403721/story.shtml |archive-date=5 February 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Defending his title at the [[2017 UK Championship|UK Championship]], he was eliminated 3–6 by [[Scott Donaldson]] in the last 64.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/great-scott-floors-champ-selby/ |title=Great Scott Floors Champ Selby |work=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|World Snooker]] |date=2 December 2017 |access-date=4 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204061259/http://www.worldsnooker.com/great-scott-floors-champ-selby/ |archive-date=4 December 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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In January, he played Mark Williams in the first round of the [[2018 Masters (snooker)|Masters]], in a repeat of the [[2017 Masters (snooker)|previous year's event]], where Selby had won their first-round encounter 6–5. However, this time the finishing score line was reversed as Selby lost the deciding frame 5–6.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/42683553 |title=Masters: Mark Selby loses to Mark Williams in first round at Alexandra Palace |work=[[BBC Sport]] |date=14 January 2018 |access-date=4 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117094142/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/42683553 |archive-date=17 January 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> He retained his [[2018 China Open (snooker)|China Open]] championship in April, defeating Barry Hawkins 11–3 in the final. This was Selby's third China Open title in four years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/selby-back-form-china-open-victory/ |title=Selby Back On Form With China Open Victory |work=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|World Snooker]] |date=8 April 2018 |access-date=23 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412201558/http://www.worldsnooker.com/selby-back-form-china-open-victory/ |archive-date=12 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Later that month, his two-year reign as World Champion ended in the first round of the [[2018 World Snooker Championship|World Championship]], where he fell to Joe Perry 4–10, unable to recover from a 2–7 deficit in the first session. In winning the match, Perry became the first player to beat Selby at the World Championship since Anthony McGill had defeated him in the second round in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/43848687 |title=World Snooker Championship 2018: Mark Selby beaten by Joe Perry in first round |date=21 April 2018 |first=Shamoon |last=Hafez |work=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=23 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421124226/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/43848687 |archive-date=21 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Despite this disappointment, Selby still finished the season as world number one.<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Rankings |work=World Snooker |access-date=30 May 2018 |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/rankings/world-rankings-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406231322/http://www.worldsnooker.com/rankings/world-rankings-2/ |archive-date=6 April 2018}}</ref> |
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===2018–19 season=== |
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At the [[2018 World Open (snooker)|World Open]] in August, Selby lost 4–5 to world number 53 [[Noppon Saengkham]] in the last 16, losing the deciding frame by just three points.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/45128549 |title=World Open: Mark Selby loses to world number 53 Noppon Saengkham |date=9 August 2018 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129014007/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/45128549 |archive-date=29 November 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> He won his 15th ranking title at the [[2018 China Championship|China Championship]] in September, defeating John Higgins 10–9 in a very close-fought final.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://wst.tv/selby-edges-higgins-in-guangzhou-thriller/ |title=Selby Edges Higgins in Guangzhou Thriller |date=30 September 2018 |work=World Snooker |access-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221072707/https://wst.tv/selby-edges-higgins-in-guangzhou-thriller/ |archive-date=21 February 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> He reached the semi-finals of the [[2018 Northern Ireland Open|Northern Ireland Open]] in November, losing 5–6 to Ronnie O'Sullivan on the final black.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/46248930 |title=Northern Ireland Open: Ronnie O'Sullivan beats Mark Selby on final black to reach final |date=17 November 2018 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811204826/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/46248930 |archive-date=11 August 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> He faced disappointments in other tournaments, including an unexpected 3–6 loss to amateur [[James Cahill (snooker player)|James Cahill]] in the first round of the [[2018 UK Championship|UK Championship]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/46394532 |title=UK Championship: Mark Selby beaten by amateur James Cahill in round one |date=30 November 2018 |first=Owen |last=Phillips |work=BBC Sport |access-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820190217/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/46394532 |archive-date=20 August 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[2019 Masters (snooker)|2019 Masters]], he lost 2–6 to Judd Trump in a "nervy" quarter-final, despite making a 110 break in the seventh frame of the match.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/trump-seizes-the-initiative/157480 |title=Masters snooker 2019: Judd Trump beats Mark Selby 6–2 in quarter-final |date=19 January 2019 |work=Sporting Life |access-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226120042/https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/trump-seizes-the-initiative/157480 |archive-date=26 February 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Selby lost the top ranking position to O'Sullivan on 24 March 2019,<ref name="Eurosport 24-03-2019">{{cite web |url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/snooker-news-ronnie-osullivan-makes-astonishing-return-to-world-no-1-with-tour-championship-win_sto7199593/story.shtml |title=O'Sullivan completes astonishing return to world no 1 with Tour Championship victory |date=24 March 2019 |first=Desmond |last=Kane |work=Eurosport UK |access-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325114223/https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/snooker-news-ronnie-osullivan-makes-astonishing-return-to-world-no-1-with-tour-championship-win_sto7199593/story.shtml |archive-date=25 March 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> having been world number one since February 2015.<ref name="wst._Wils">{{Cite web |title=Wilson Completes Shock Win Over Selby |work=World Snooker |date=27 April 2019 |access-date=16 October 2020 |url=https://wst.tv/wilson-completes-shock-win-over-selby/ |archive-date=20 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220213234/https://wst.tv/wilson-completes-shock-win-over-selby/ |url-status=live }}</ref> O'Sullivan reclaimed the top spot by winning his 36th ranking title at the [[2019 Tour Championship|Tour Championship]];<ref name="Eurosport 24-03-2019" /> Selby had himself been eliminated in the first round by Neil Robertson in a final-frame decider, after squandering a four-frame lead.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/47647629 |title=Tour Championship: Judd Trump, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Neil Robertson & Mark Allen progress |date=20 March 2019 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=22 October 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322121421/https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/47647629 |archive-date=22 March 2019}}</ref> He had an opportunity to regain the top spot at the [[2019 China Open (snooker)|China Open]] less than two weeks later, but lost 3–6 to [[Craig Steadman]] in the qualifying round which had been held over from the original qualification stage in February.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/china-open/2018-2019/mark-selby-defeat-confirms-ronnie-o-sullivan-as-world-no-1-for-world-championship_sto7210213/story.shtml |title=Selby defeat confirms O'Sullivan as world no 1 for World Championship |date=1 April 2019 |first=Kevin |last=Coulson |work=Eurosport UK |access-date=14 August 2020 |archive-date=16 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016215141/https://www.eurosport.com/geoblocking.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[2019 World Snooker Championship|World Championship]], Selby beat [[Zhao Xintong]] 10–7 in the first round before being defeated 10–13 by Gary Wilson in the second round.<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Snooker Championship 2019: Frame scores, stats and full results |work=BBC Sport |date=6 May 2019 |access-date=16 October 2020 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/47696353 |archive-date=15 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915082757/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/47696353 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://wst.tv/wilson-completes-shock-win-over-selby/ |title=Wilson Completes Shock Win Over Selby |date=27 April 2019 |work=World Snooker |access-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220213234/https://wst.tv/wilson-completes-shock-win-over-selby/ |archive-date=20 February 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> As a result of this mediocre performance, he ended the season as world number six, having also been outranked by John Higgins, Neil Robertson, Mark Williams and Judd Trump.<ref>{{cite web |title=World Rankings: After the 2019 Betfred World Championship |date=6 May 2019 |work=World Snooker |publisher=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association]] |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/World-Ranking-List-after-2019-World-Champs.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507020845/http://www.worldsnooker.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/World-Ranking-List-after-2019-World-Champs.pdf |archive-date=7 May 2019}}</ref> |
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===2019–20 season=== |
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In the [[2019–20 snooker season|2019–20 season]], Selby reached the semi-finals of the [[2019 International Championship|International Championship]], losing 4–9 to Judd Trump,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/international-championship/2019-2020/snooker-news-judd-trump-beats-mark-selby-to-reach-international-championship-final_sto7402404/story.shtml |title=Rampant Trump beats Selby to reach International Championship final |date=9 August 2019 |work=Eurosport |access-date=26 February 2020 |archive-date=16 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016215206/https://www.eurosport.com/geoblocking.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> and in defending his title at the [[2019 China Championship|China Championship]], he lost 3–6 to Shaun Murphy, again in the semi-finals.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://wst.tv/murphy-into-guangzhou-final/ |title=Murphy into Guangzhou Final |date=28 September 2019 |work=World Snooker |access-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221053824/https://wst.tv/murphy-into-guangzhou-final/ |archive-date=21 February 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> He defeated David Gilbert 9–1 in the final of the [[2019 English Open (snooker)|English Open]] to win the Steve Davis Trophy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/50119006 |title=English Open: Mark Selby hammers David Gilbert 9–1 in final |date=20 October 2019 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211185653/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/50119006 |archive-date=11 December 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> The following week, he lost 2–5 to Stuart Bingham in the last 16 of the [[2019 World Open (snooker)|World Open]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/bingham-thrives-trump-survives/173474 |title=World Open snooker day four review: Stuart Bingham impressive; John Higgins and Judd Trump scrape through |date=31 October 2019 |work=Sporting Life |access-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226201534/https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/bingham-thrives-trump-survives/173474 |archive-date=26 February 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[2019 Champion of Champions|Champion of Champions]], he fell short 2–6 to Mark Allen in the group final.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/50310115 |title=Champion of Champions: Mark Allen beats Mark Selby 6–2 to reach semi-finals |date=5 November 2019 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226200030/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/50310115 |archive-date=26 February 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> Despite recovering from 1–4 behind to tie at 4–4, he was defeated in the quarter-finals of the [[2019 Northern Ireland Open|Northern Ireland Open]] by John Higgins.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/higgins-pips-selby-ronnie-through/174098 |title=Northern Ireland Open: John Higgins beats Mark Selby; Judd Trump and Ronnie O'Sullivan through |date=15 November 2019 |work=Sporting Life |access-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226200032/https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/higgins-pips-selby-ronnie-through/174098 |archive-date=26 February 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> He took more than six minutes to play one of his shots in the seventh frame of this match, leading to criticism from the Eurosport commentator [[Neal Foulds]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/northern-ireland-open/2019-2020/snooker-news-mark-selby-takes-six-minutes-and-13-seconds-to-take-shot_sto7538910/story.shtml |title='It's stupid' – Disbelief as Selby takes six minutes and 13 seconds to take shot |first=Ben |last=Snowball |date=15 November 2019 |website=Eurosport UK |access-date=16 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116045034/https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/northern-ireland-open/2019-2020/snooker-news-mark-selby-takes-six-minutes-and-13-seconds-to-take-shot_sto7538910/story.shtml |archive-date=16 November 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> He won the [[2019 Scottish Open (snooker)|Scottish Open]] in December, beating Jack Lisowski 9–6 in the final to pick up the Stephen Hendry Trophy. Having also won the English Open earlier in the season, he became the first player to win more than one tournament in the Home Nations Series in a single season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/selby-seals-scottish-open-title/175183 |title=Scottish Open snooker: Mark Selby beats Jack Lisowski 9–6 in Glasgow final |date=16 December 2019 |work=Sporting Life |agency=Press Association |access-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217095819/https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/selby-seals-scottish-open-title/175183 |archive-date=17 December 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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At the beginning of 2020, he lost in the first round of the [[2020 Masters (snooker)|Masters]] against Ali Carter in January,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2020/0112/1106011-carter-dumps-out-selby-in-first-round-of-masters/ |title=Carter dumps out Selby in first round of Masters |date=13 January 2020 |publisher=[[Raidió Teilifís Éireann]] |access-date=27 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113170540/https://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2020/0112/1106011-carter-dumps-out-selby-in-first-round-of-masters/ |archive-date=13 January 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> and failed to qualify at the [[2020 German Masters|German Masters]] later the same month.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=859 |title=BetVictor German Masters (2020) |website=snooker.org |access-date=28 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803180617/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=859 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[2020 European Masters (2019–20 season)|European Masters]], he lost in the second round to Barry Hawkins; after losing the first four frames, he staged a comeback to level at 4–4 but then lost the deciding frame.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/european-masters/2019-2020/snooker-news-big-names-tumble-at-european-masters-as-ding-williams-and-higgins-are-eliminated_sto7627407/story.shtml |title=Big names tumble at European Masters as Selby, Ding, Williams and Higgins are eliminated |date=23 January 2020 |first=Enis |last=Koylu |work=Eurosport |access-date=28 March 2020 |archive-date=16 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016215143/https://www.eurosport.com/geoblocking.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> He qualified for the [[2020 World Grand Prix (2019–20 season)|World Grand Prix]], where he lost 3–4 to Xiao Guodong in the first round despite making two centuries.<ref name="snoo_Ronn">{{Cite web |title=Ronnie O'Sullivan Wins But Mark Selby Is Out – SnookerHQ |first=David |last=Caulfield |work=SnookerHQ |date=4 February 2020 |access-date=10 October 2020 |url=https://snookerhq.com/2020/02/04/ronnie-osullivan-wins-mark-selby-out/ |archive-date=22 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422012433/https://snookerhq.com/2020/02/04/ronnie-osullivan-wins-mark-selby-out/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In February, Selby reached the quarter-final stage of the last Home Nations event, the [[2020 Welsh Open (snooker)|Welsh Open]], where he was defeated 1–5 by Ronnie O'Sullivan.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/51505570 |title=Welsh Open: Ronnie O'Sullivan eases into semi-finals |date=14 February 2020 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=28 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329022616/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/51505570 |archive-date=29 March 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> He also qualified for the [[2020 Players Championship (snooker)|Players Championship]], based on the one-year ranking list; in the first round, he whitewashed Mark Williams 6–0,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/selby-soars-in-southport/177665 |title=Snooker results: Mark Selby beats Mark Williams 6–0 in Coral Players Championship |date=24 February 2020 |work=Sporting Life |access-date=28 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328184102/https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/selby-soars-in-southport/177665 |archive-date=28 March 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> but was then knocked out in the quarter-finals by Stephen Maguire in a deciding frame 5–6.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/maguire-holds-off-selby-comeback/177777 |title=Snooker results: Stephen Maguire beats Mark Selby in Players Championship |first=Richard |last=Mann |date=28 February 2020 |work=Sporting Life |access-date=28 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328184059/https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/maguire-holds-off-selby-comeback/177777 |archive-date=28 March 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> In March, he also participated at the [[2020 Gibraltar Open|Gibraltar Open]], but was eliminated in the third round by [[Lyu Haotian]] 1–4.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/gibraltar-open/2019-2020/snooker-news-mark-selby-and-stuart-bingham-suffer-defeats-at-gibraltar-open_sto7703817/story.shtml |title=Selby and Bingham suffer defeats at Gibraltar Open |date=14 March 2020 |work=Eurosport |access-date=28 March 2020 |archive-date=16 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016215143/https://www.eurosport.com/geoblocking.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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After the prolonged break caused by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Selby participated in the [[2020 Championship League (2019–20 season)|2020 Championship League]], going out of the tournament after the first group stage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mark Selby sent crashing out of Championship League |url=https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/snooker/news/12243/12000954/mark-selby-sent-crashing-out-of-championship-league |access-date=17 August 2020 |website=Sky Sports |language=en |archive-date=15 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615041409/https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/snooker/news/12243/12000954/mark-selby-sent-crashing-out-of-championship-league |url-status=live }}</ref> He qualified for the [[2020 Tour Championship]] ranked third on the one-year ranking list.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://wst.tv/rankings/1-year-ranking-list/ |title=1 Year Ranking List |website=World Snooker |access-date=9 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317160307/https://wst.tv/rankings/1-year-ranking-list/ |archive-date=17 March 2020 |url-status=unfit}}</ref> He beat [[Yan Bingtao]] 9–6 in the quarter-finals before being defeated 2–9 by Mark Allen in the semi-finals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Snooker news: 'Pathetic' – Mark Selby recovers from poor start to oust Yan Bingtao |work=Eurosport UK |date=22 June 2020 |access-date=16 October 2020 |url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/snooker-news-pathetic-mark-selby-recovers-from-slow-start-to-oust-yan-bingtao_sto7784195/story.shtml |archive-date=16 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016215144/https://www.eurosport.com/geoblocking.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Tour Championship: Mark Allen beats Mark Selby 9–2 to reach final |date=25 June 2020 |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/53182377 |access-date=17 August 2020 |archive-date=28 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628022216/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/53182377 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[2020 World Snooker Championship|World Championship]], Selby defeated debutant [[Jordan Brown (snooker player)|Jordan Brown]] 10–6 in the first round,<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Snooker Championship: Mark Selby battles through, Shaun Murphy knocked out |author=Offord, Jen |work=Eurosport UK |date=4 August 2020 |access-date=16 October 2020 |url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/world-championship/2019-2020/snooker-news-shaun-murphy-dumped-out-of-world-champs-by-noppon-saengkham-in-fourth-round_sto7825896/story.shtml |archive-date=19 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819112857/https://www.eurosport.com/geoblocking.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> Noppon Saengkham 13–12 in the last 16,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mark Selby overcomes Noppon Saengkham in tense World Championship decider |work=Eurosport |date=7 August 2020 |access-date=16 October 2020 |url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/world-championship/2019-2020/world-snooker-championship-mark-selby-overcomes-noppon-saengkham-in-tense-decider_sto7829420/story.shtml |archive-date=19 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819112926/https://www.eurosport.com/geoblocking.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> and Neil Robertson 13–7 in the quarter-finals.<ref name="euro_Neil">{{Cite web |title=Neil Robertson: Mark Selby back to his world title-winning tactical best |work=Eurosport UK |date=11 August 2020 |access-date=16 October 2020 |url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/world-championship/2019-2020/neil-robertson-mark-selby-back-to-his-world-title-winning-tactical-best_sto7833668/story.shtml |archive-date=19 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819112942/https://www.eurosport.com/geoblocking.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> In the semi-final, he met Ronnie O'Sullivan, who took a 5–3 lead after the first session, but Selby won the second session to take a 9–7 lead.<ref name="bbc._O'Su">{{Cite web |title=World Snooker Championship 2020: Ronnie O'Sullivan leads Mark Selby 5–3 in semi-final |work=BBC Sport |date=12 August 2020 |access-date=16 October 2020 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/53754081 |archive-date=13 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813074801/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/53754081 |url-status=live }}</ref> During the third session, he established a 13–9 advantage before O'Sullivan won the last two frames of the session. Selby then took a 16–14 lead, leaving himself one frame away from his fifth World Championship final, but he lost the final three frames of the match. After the game, Selby accused his opponent of being "disrespectful" after O'Sullivan had played several hit-and-hope shots while being snookered.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 August 2020 |title=O'Sullivan Stuns Selby To Reach Final |url=https://wst.tv/osullivan-stuns-selby-to-reach-final/ |access-date=17 August 2020 |website=World Snooker |language=en-US |archive-date=30 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930100449/https://wst.tv/osullivan-stuns-selby-to-reach-final/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Selby finished the season as world number four.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rankings 2019/2020 - snooker.org |url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?template=31&season=2019 |access-date=17 August 2020 |website=snooker.org |archive-date=3 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903071306/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?template=31&season=2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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===2020–21 season: fourth World Championship title=== |
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After the delayed start to the [[2020–21 snooker season|new season]], Selby won his 18th ranking title at the [[2020 European Masters (2020–21 season)|2020 European Masters]] in September, defeating [[Martin Gould]] 9–8 in the final.<ref name=WS_EM2020>{{cite web|url=https://wst.tv/selby-edges-gould-in-thriller/ |title=Selby Edges Gould in Thriller |date=27 September 2020 |work=World Snooker |access-date=24 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024060858/https://wst.tv/selby-edges-gould-in-thriller/ |archive-date=24 October 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Eurosport_EM2020>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/european-masters/2020-2021/mark-selby-holds-off-martin-gould-fightback-to-win-european-masters_sto7908968/story.shtml |title=Mark Selby holds off Martin Gould fightback to win European Masters |date=27 September 2020 |work=Eurosport |access-date=24 October 2020}}</ref> The score was level at 4–4 by the end of the afternoon session, despite Selby taking an early 4–0 lead.<ref name=Eurosport_EM2020 /> The two players were evenly matched throughout the evening session, but Selby eventually won the match in the deciding final frame with a break of 72.<ref name=WS_EM2020 /> The win moved him to a joint sixth place, alongside [[Neil Robertson]], on the [[List of snooker players by number of ranking titles|list of players with the most world ranking titles]].<ref name=Eurosport_EM2020 /> |
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In October, he began the defence of his title at the [[2020 English Open (snooker)|2020 English Open]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=9 October 2020|title=Selby Ready For English Open Defence|url=https://wst.tv/selby-ready-for-english-open-defence/|access-date=30 October 2020|website=World Snooker|language=en-US |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103122241/https://wst.tv/selby-ready-for-english-open-defence/ |archive-date=3 November 2020}}</ref> After defeating [[Fan Zhengyi]], [[Chang Bingyu]], [[Liang Wenbo]], [[Hossein Vafaei]] and [[Zhou Yuelong]], he lost 5–6 to Neil Robertson in the semi-finals.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Robertson Beats Selby In Classic Semi-Final|url=https://wst.tv/robertson-beats-selby-in-classic-semi-final|date=17 October 2020|publisher=World Snooker Tour}}</ref> Despite losing the title, Selby retained the number one spot in the [[Snooker world ranking points 2020/2021|one-year ranking list]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=1 Year Ranking List|url=https://wst.tv/rankings/1-year-ranking-list/|access-date=30 October 2020|website=World Snooker|language=en-US}}</ref> He also progressed through the first two group stages of the ranking [[2020 Championship League (2)|Championship League]] tournament,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Stage One|url=http://www.championshipleaguesnooker.co.uk/stage-one|access-date=31 October 2020|website=Championship League Snooker|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Stage Two|url=http://www.championshipleaguesnooker.co.uk/stage-two|access-date=31 October 2020|website=Championship League Snooker|language=en-GB}}</ref> but in the third group stage, although he beat [[Judd Trump]] 3–0, he lost 1–3 to Zhou Yuelong and 0–3 to [[Zhao Xintong]], finishing at the bottom of the group.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Stage Three|url=http://www.championshipleaguesnooker.co.uk/stage-three|access-date=31 October 2020|website=Championship League Snooker|language=en-GB}}</ref> |
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At the [[2020 Champion of Champions|Champion of Champions]] tournament in November, Selby recovered from 0–4 and 3–5 behind, winning the last three frames of his quarter-final match against [[Kyren Wilson]] to progress 6–5,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2020/1105/1176059-selby-through-to-final-four-of-champion-of-champions/ |title=Selby through to final four of Champion of Champions |website=[[RTÉ.ie]] |date=5 November 2020 |access-date=7 May 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109193738/https://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2020/1105/1176059-selby-through-to-final-four-of-champion-of-champions/ |archive-date=9 January 2021}}</ref> only to be defeated by Neil Robertson in another final-frame decider at the semi-final stage of the competition.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/champion-of-champions/2020-2021/champion-of-champions-snooker-neil-robertson-wins-thriller-against-mark-selby-to-reach-final_sto7982893/story.shtml |title=Champion of Champions Snooker: Neil Robertson wins thriller against Mark Selby to reach final |work=Eurosport UK |date=7 November 2020 |access-date=7 May 2021}}</ref> In December, after yet another loss to Robertson at the quarter-finals of the [[2020 UK Championship|UK Championship]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Robertson And Zhou To Meet In Semis|url=https://wst.tv/robertson-and-zhou-to-meet-in-semis|date=4 December 2020|publisher=World Snooker Tour}}</ref> Selby successfully defended his [[Scottish Open (snooker)|Scottish Open]] title, beating [[Yuan Sijun]], [[Nigel Bond]], [[Mark Joyce]], [[Lyu Haotian]], [[Ricky Walden]] and [[Jamie Jones (snooker player)|Jamie Jones]] to reach the final, then defeating [[Ronnie O'Sullivan]] 9–3 to claim his 19th ranking tournament win, and his third [[Home Nations Series]] trophy, becoming the second player, after Judd Trump, to win three Home Nations events.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Scottish Open 2020: Mark Selby wraps up dominant win over Ronnie O'Sullivan in final|url=https://www.eurosport.com/geoblocking.shtml|access-date=16 December 2020|website=www.eurosport.com}}</ref> The following week, he reached the semi-finals of the [[2020 World Grand Prix (2020–21 season)|World Grand Prix]], where he was defeated 4–6 by [[Jack Lisowski]], despite compiling the highest break of the tournament, a 143 in the seventh frame of the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1043 |title=Matchroom World Grand Prix (2020) |website=snooker.org |access-date=7 May 2021}}</ref> |
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Selby reached the final of the [[2021 Snooker Shoot Out|Snooker Shoot Out]] in February, but his early 24-point lead was eclipsed by [[Ryan Day (snooker player)|Ryan Day]]'s 67-point winning break in the last four minutes of the match.<ref name="SL shootout">{{cite web|url=https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/day-claims-shoot-out-glory/189029 |title=Snooker Shoot Out: Ryan Day beats Mark Selby in final |work=Sporting Life |date=7 February 2021 |access-date=7 May 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507135742/https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/day-claims-shoot-out-glory/189029 |archive-date=7 May 2021}}</ref> Though he was aiming to secure a record 12th successive ranking final win at the event, Selby expressed doubts whether the Shoot Out should be classed as a ranking event.<ref name="SL shootout" /> Afterwards, he exited both the [[2021 Welsh Open (snooker)|Welsh Open]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Brown Stuns Selby|url=https://wst.tv/brown-stuns-selby|date=19 February 2021|publisher=World Snooker Tour}}</ref> and the [[2021 Players Championship (snooker)|Players Championship]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Higgins Hands Selby Record Defeat|url=https://wst.tv/higgins-hands-selby-record-defeat|date=26 February 2021|publisher=World Snooker Tour}}</ref> at the quarter-final stage, then the [[2021 Tour Championship|Tour Championship]] with one more semi-final defeat by Neil Robertson,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Robertson Reaches Tour Final|url=https://wst.tv/robertson-reaches-tour-final|date=26 March 2021|publisher=World Snooker Tour}}</ref> repeating his last year results for all three events. |
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Selby won his fourth world title in May 2021, defeating [[Shaun Murphy]] 18–15 in the final of the [[2021 World Snooker Championship|World Championship]] in front of a capacity crowd at the Crucible Theatre.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/may/03/mark-selby-beats-shaun-murphy-win-fourth-world-snooker-championship-crucible-match-report |title=Mark Selby beats Shaun Murphy to win fourth World Snooker Championship |last=Bower |first=Aaron |work=The Guardian |access-date=4 May 2021 |date=3 May 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508173209/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/may/03/mark-selby-beats-shaun-murphy-win-fourth-world-snooker-championship-crucible-match-report |archive-date=8 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/56762588 |title=World Snooker Championship 2021: Tournament results, highest break and prize money |date=3 May 2021 |access-date=4 May 2021 |work=BBC Sport |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514143426/https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/56762588 |archive-date=14 May 2021}}</ref> He became one of only five players to have won the championship four or more times at the Crucible, and said in his post-match interview: "to win it four times is something I could only have dreamed of."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/world-championship/2020-2021/world-snooker-championship-2021-mark-selby-wins-fourth-crucible-title-with-win-over-shaun-murphy_sto8303224/story.shtml |title=World Snooker Championship 2021 – Mark Selby wins fourth Crucible title with win over Shaun Murphy |first=Michael |last=Hincks |access-date=4 May 2021 |date=3 May 2021 |work=Eurosport UK}}</ref> |
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===2021–22 season=== |
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In contrast with his last two snooker years, this was a poor season for Selby. His first tournament was the [[2021 British Open|British Open]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Parker|first=Jessie|date=12 August 2021|title=See Leicester's Mark Selby take on big names at British Snooker Open|url=https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/special-features/leicesters-mark-selby-takes-big-5772149|access-date=31 August 2021|website=LeicestershireLive|language=en}}</ref> He was defeated in the second round, but returned to the top of the rankings for the first time since March 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/british-open/2004-2005/british-open-snooker-2021-hard-lines-judd-trump-loses-world-number-one-spot-to-mark-selby-after-elli_sto8498861/story.shtml|title=British Open Snooker 2021: 'Hard Lines' – Judd Trump Loses World Number One Spot to Mark Selby after Elliot Slessor Loss|date=20 August 2021|last=Kane|first=Desmond|work=Eurosport UK|access-date=1 September 2021}}</ref> After that, he suffered many early round exits, failed to qualify for tournaments or has withdrawn from them. Selby said that snooker seemed "irrelevant right now" to him,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/world-championship/2021-2022/i-was-emotionless-mark-selby-says-depression-took-joy-away-from-world-championship-win-in-2016_sto8885364/story.shtml|title='I was emotionless' - Mark Selby says depression took joy away from World Championship win in 2016|date=15 April 2022|work=Eurosport UK}}</ref> as he spoke about his struggles with depression that was affecting his life and snooker form.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/welsh-open-1/2021-2022/mark-selby-i-ve-been-suffering-for-years-and-bottling-it-up-but-speaking-out-has-helped-depression-b_sto8822539/story.shtml|title=Mark Selby: I've been suffering for years and bottling it up but speaking out has helped depression battle|date=1 March 2022|last=Walker-Roberts|first=James|work=Eurosport UK}}</ref> He reached the semi-finals of the [[2021 World Grand Prix|World Grand Prix]] in December though, but after levelling the match at 2–2, he was defeated 3–6 by [[Neil Robertson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/59707791 |title=World Grand Prix: Neil Robertson beats Mark Selby to reach the final |work=BBC Sport |date=18 December 2021 |access-date=29 December 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218134504/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/59707791 |archive-date=18 December 2021}}</ref> The only other highlights of the season were his quarter-final appearances at the [[2021 Champion of Champions]], where he made his 700th century break in his opening match against [[David Gilbert (snooker player)|David Gilbert]], becoming the sixth player to reach that milestone,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/champion-of-champions/2021-2022/champion-of-champions-2021-mark-selby-fights-back-to-beat-david-gilbert-in-first-round-thriller_sto8631100/story.shtml|title=Champion of Champions 2021 – Mark Selby fights back to beat David Gilbert, will meet Yan Bingtao in group final|date=17 November 2021|work=Eurosport|access-date=18 November 2021}}</ref> and the [[2022 Masters (snooker)|2022 Masters]], where Selby avenged his 6–3 loss to [[Stephen Maguire]] from last year's tournament by beating the Scotsman by the exact same scoreline,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wst.tv/selby-sets-up-hawk-showdown|title=Selby Sets Up Hawk Showdown|date=11 January 2022|work=World Snooker Tour}}</ref> but then he suffered a 6–1 defeat by [[Barry Hawkins]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wst.tv/hawk-storms-to-semis|title=Hawk Swoops To Semis|date=14 January 2022|work=World Snooker Tour}}</ref> |
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===2022–23 season=== |
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Compared to his last season performance, Selby's form had improved, as he reached the quarter-finals of the [[2022 British Open|British]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wst.tv/allen-edges-trump-to-earn-selby-clash|title=Allen Edges Trump To Earn Selby Clash|date=30 September 2022|work=World Snooker Tour}}</ref> the [[2022 Northern Ireland Open|Northern Ireland]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wst.tv/thunder-strikes-jester-in-belfast|title=Thunder Strikes Jester In Belfast|date=21 October 2022|work=World Snooker Tour}}</ref> and the [[2022 Scottish Open (snooker)|Scottish Open]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wst.tv/robertson-into-edinburgh-semis|title=Robertson Into Edinburgh Semis|date=2 December 2022|work=World Snooker Tour}}</ref> the semi-finals of the [[2022 Champion of Champions|Champion of Champions]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wst.tv/trump-into-champion-of-champions-final|title=Trump Into Champion Of Champions Final|date=4 November 2022|work=World Snooker Tour}}</ref> then went on and became the first player to win the [[2022 English Open (snooker)|English Open]] for the second time, claiming his first ranking trophy since his World Championship win in 2021,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wst.tv/selby-ends-barren-streak-with-english-title|title=Selby Ends Barren Streak With English Title|date=18 December 2022|work=World Snooker Tour}}</ref> and becoming the second player, after [[Judd Trump]], to win four [[Home Nations Series|Home Nations]] tournaments.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Davies|first=Jonathan|title=Mark Selby beats Luca Brecel to end title drought at English Open|url=https://www.livesnooker.com/major-ranking-events/english-open-snooker/mark-selby-beats-luca-brecel-to-end-title-drought-at-english-open|date=18 December 2022|website=livesnooker.com}}</ref> In the semi-final of the tournament, he also recorded his first win over [[Neil Robertson]] in two years, after seven consecutive losses to him,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wst.tv/selby-ends-losing-streak-against-robertson|title=Selby Ends Losing Streak Against Robertson|date=17 December 2022|work=World Snooker Tour}}</ref> including this year's Northern Ireland and Scottish Open defeats. Towards the end of the season, Selby also won the inaugural [[2023 WST Classic|WST Classic]] tournament, beating [[Pang Junxu]] 6–2 in the final.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wst.tv/selby-makes-three-tons-to-win-final|title=Selby Makes Three Tons To Win Final|date=22 March 2023|work=World Snooker Tour}}</ref> In the next event, the [[2023 Tour Championship]], he made it to the semi-final, losing 9–10 to [[Shaun Murphy]], forcing a decider after being 6–9 down.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wst.tv/murphy-beats-selby-in-hull-thriller|title=Murphy Beats Selby In Hull Thriller|date=1 April 2023|work=World Snooker Tour}}</ref> |
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At the [[2023 World Snooker Championship]], Selby defeated [[Mark Allen (snooker player)|Mark Allen]] 17–15 in a semi-final that lasted for over 13 and a half hours in total,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/world-championship/2022-2023/world-snooker-championship-2023-mark-selby-takes-tense-lead-over-mark-allen-in-error-strewn-and-grit_sto9583232/story.shtml|title=World Snooker Championship 2023: Mark Selby Fends Off Mark Allen Fightback To Set Up Crucible Final With Luca Brecel|last=El-Shaboury|first=Yara|date=30 April 2023|work=Eurosport UK}}</ref> with the final session ending at 12:48 a.m.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/mark-selby-mark-allen-luca-brecel-leicester-sheffield-b2329637.html|title=Mark Selby leaves it late to seal place in World Snooker Championship final against Luca Brecel|website=independent.co.uk|date=30 April 2023|last=Veal|first=Jonathan}}</ref> In frame 16 of the final against [[Luca Brecel]], Selby scored a [[maximum break]], his first maximum at the Crucible, and the first ever compiled in a World Championship final.<ref>{{cite web|title=World Snooker Championship 147: Mark Selby makes first maximum in final but trails Luca Brecel|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/65443883|last=Sutcliffe|first=Steve|date=30 April 2023|work=BBC News}}</ref> Trailing 16–10 at one point, Selby managed to close the gap to 16–15; however Brecel won the following two frames to win 18–15.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wst.tv/breath-taking-brecel-is-new-crucible-king|title=Breath-Taking Brecel Is New Crucible King|date=1 May 2023|work=World Snooker Tour}}</ref> |
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===2023–24 season=== |
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At the start of the season, Selby was a semi-finalist in the [[2023 European Masters]] and the [[2023 Shanghai Masters]], losing 4–6 to [[Barry Hawkins]] in the former,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wst.tv/hawk-downs-the-jester|title=Hawk Downs The Jester|date=26 August 2023|work=World Snooker Tour}}</ref> and 7–10 to [[Ronnie O'Sullivan]] in the latter tournament.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wst.tv/osullivan-into-fourth-straight-shanghai-final|title=O'Sullivan Into Fourth Straight Shanghai Final|date=15 September 2023|work=World Snooker Tour}}</ref> Then he reached the final of the [[2023 British Open]], facing [[Mark Williams (snooker player)|Mark Williams]] and eventually losing to him 10–7, despite coming back from 5–1 down to 8–7 throughout the match.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wst.tv/wonderful-williams-claims-gold-in-cheltenham|title=Wonderful Williams Claims Gold In Cheltenham|date=2 October 2023|work=World Snooker Tour}}</ref> Going that far in the tournament took its toll, as in the next event, the [[2023 English Open (snooker)|2023 English Open]], Selby won his held-over qualifying match, but then he lost 4–2 to world number 104 [[Martin O'Donnell (snooker player)|Martin O'Donnell]] in the last 64, having played nine matches in nine days altogether.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wst.tv/odonnell-outlasts-marathon-man-selby|title=O'Donnell Outlasts 'Marathon Man' Selby|date=3 October 2023|work=World Snooker Tour}}</ref> He also exited in the last 64 round at the following [[2023 Wuhan Open (snooker)|2023 Wuhan Open]], losing 4–5 to [[Xu Si]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/wuhan-open/2023/neil-robertson-dumped-out-by-liam-highfield-in-second-round-of-2023-wuhan-open-mark-selby-also-out_sto9831428/story.shtml|title=Neil Robertson dumped out by Liam Highfield in second round of 2023 Wuhan Open, Mark Selby also out|date=10 October 2023|work=Eurosport}}</ref> His last notable result for the calendar year was reaching the quarter-finals of the [[2023 UK Championship]], where he lost 3–6 to [[Judd Trump]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wst.tv/trump-sees-off-selby|title=Trump Sees Off Selby|date=2 December 2023|work=World Snooker Tour}}</ref> |
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During the first half of the season, Selby has missed out on the [[2023 Northern Ireland Open]], as he—along with [[Ali Carter]], [[John Higgins]], [[Thepchaiya Un-Nooh]] and reigning world champion [[Luca Brecel]]—opted not to enter, so he could play at an exhibition event in Macau, China instead, originally scheduled to take place from 27 to 29 October. The World Snooker Tour threatened the five players with disciplinary action, claiming that playing at an unsanctioned event in Macau rather than at an official tour event in Belfast would breach their players' contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wst.tv/world-snooker-tour-wst-statement|title=World Snooker Tour ("WST") Statement|date=10 October 2023|work=World Snooker Tour}}</ref> Following negotiations, the Macau exhibition was rescheduled to be played from 22 to 24 December, and the WST granted the concerned players permission to participate; however, they remained absent from the Belfast tournament, as they had not entered it.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wst.tv/wst-statement-update|title=WST statement update|date=13 October 2023|work=World Snooker Tour}}</ref> Selby won the Macau event, defeating Carter 6–3 in the final, and he also made a maximum break in his semi-final match against Higgins.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/ronnie-o-sullivan-celebrates-christmas-day-with-win-over-ding-junhui-in-macau-as-mark-selby-and-john_sto9935068/story.shtml|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan celebrates Christmas Day with win over Ding Junhui as Mark Selby, John Higgins make 147s|date=26 December 2023|work=Eurosport}}</ref> |
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