Mark Selby is aiming for a fifth world title in Sheffield Venue: Crucible Theater, Sheffield Dates: 16 April-2 May Coverage: Watch live on BBC TV and Red Button with continuous coverage of BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport app
Mark Selby began defending his World Cup title by holding on to stubborn Welsh qualifier Jamie Jones with a 10-7 victory in Sheffield.
Selby of Leicester aspired for the fifth world crown and looked sloppy in parts, but made three centuries and four 50+ breakthroughs while opposing Jones’ return.
Next for Selby will be the Chinese Yang Bingtao or the qualifier Chris Weikelin.
World number one Ronnie O’Sullivan recovered 3-0 and led David Gilbert 6-3 after the first session.
The rocket is aiming for a record equivalent seventh world title in its 30th Crucible competition to attract Scottish legend Stephen Hendry.
Qualifier Gilbert moved forward, but the 46-year-old O’Sullivan showed his class by answering 122, 64, 104 and 66 for six consecutive frames. They play until the final on Sunday afternoon.
Jones lets Selby get away
Selby admitted before the tournament that he was considering not defending his title due to his ongoing battle with mental illness.
Instead of stepping up his preparations for the snooker show by spending time at the training table, Selby, 38, retired from two ranked events and went on vacation to Dubai with his family.
There seemed to be some rust in the early exchanges, leaving Selby confused by the omission of ordinary pots, but he soon adjusted to his course, making excellent breaks from 134 and 129, as well as additional series from 71, 64 and 73 to 6 -3 in front. .
Jones had a chance, but he let Selby retire and the result seemed like a formality when world number two took the first two frames of the evening session.
But Jones decided to fight hard, taking four of the next five frames, which included Selby, who made a stunning clear of 137, and he won the match after Jones went into the corner pocket.
Selby said, “It was great. I went out emotionally today and got a great reception. It’s good that I came back to play and I wasn’t sure if I would play in the World Cup. The result for me today was irrelevant, I am happy with the victory and I was happy. “
Jones added: “I fought and showed my heart. I never give up – that’s the only way I know how to play – and it made it difficult for Mark. I can be proud of myself and I could have turned 8-3, but I stayed there. with the world champion. “
elsewhere …
UK champions Zhao Xintong have signaled their intention by opening a 7-2 dominant lead over Welsh Jamie Clark before the end of Sunday morning.
The 25-year-old Chinese Zhao broke through this year, winning two ranked tournaments and was in great form, making two centuries, as well as breaking 98, 78 and 73.
Englishman Sean Murphy, the 2005 champion, faces a difficult challenge against Scotsman Stephen Maguire after losing the first session 6-3.
20-year-old Jackson Page from Wales made an impression on his debut, leading 6-3 over former finalist Barry Hawkins.
Paige made 102 in the eighth frame, but the Englishman Hawkins killed the next frame of the blacks to stay in the dispute.
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