‘I won for my dad’ – Mark Selby dedicates Champion of Champions snooker victory over John Higgins to late father David

Mark Selby devoted his 6-4 win over John Higgins on the Champion of Champions to his late father David on the twenty third anniversary of his tragic dying.

Selby had spoken movingly about dropping his father to most cancers on the age of eight on 31 October 1999 forward of the conflict with the Scottish icon of their Group 4 ultimate in Bolton on Monday evening.

The match had swung from one participant to the subsequent as each four-time world champions demonstrated a few of their finest matchplay snooker on the elite 16-player invitational occasion.

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A break of 140 from Selby within the opening body was usurped by a 141 from Higgins within the sixth body, however additional runs of 51, 64, 105 and 81 noticed the world No. 4 progress with Higgins additionally contributing 57 and 64 in a contest through which he was all the time enjoying catch-up.

Talking after the sport, Selby acknowledged that he had been pushed to the restrict by his opponent, who he had not crushed because the ultimate of the 2018 China Championship when he eked out a 10-9 win.

He mentioned: “I assumed it was a terrific sport. If I’d have misplaced I do not suppose I’d have executed a lot flawed. John’s lengthy sport was unbelievable. He was a category act, every little thing I threw at him he threw again.”

Selby puzzled if he had misplaced out on a highest-break prize to Higgins after being edged out by a degree.

“I’m undecided if there’s a highest break right here,” he said. “However I noticed just a little smile on John’s face when he made 141.”

Requested in regards to the anniversary of his father’s dying, one thing that he has beforehand mentioned continues to have an effect on him to today, he instructed the interviewer that he had made certain to not have any regrets earlier than dedicating the win to his father’s reminiscence.

“I may really feel myself getting choked up,” he mentioned. “As a result of I used to be giving every little thing on the market. I used to be considering if I win or lose I’ll depart every little thing on the market. I did it for him as we speak.”

After defeating World Seniors champion Lee Walker 4-0 earlier on Monday, 39-year-old Selby mentioned he dreaded having to play on the anniversary of his dad’s dying.

The 20-time rating occasion winner was solely 16 when he misplaced his father and he admitted it was a troublesome job to focus solely on the match.

“Robust day as we speak for me,” he mentioned. “23 years to the day after I misplaced my father. A troublesome day on daily basis for me this one.

“After I knew I used to be going to be within the Champions of Champions, I knew the teams have been going to be Monday to Thursday, and I used to be praying I simply was not enjoying on Monday.

“However because it seems I used to be so a troublesome day for that cause, however I’m comfortable to be within the competitors as nicely.”

Requested whether or not there was an opportunity he might have determined to take a step again from the match to pay his respects, Selby mentioned: “I take into consideration him on daily basis, although it has been 23 years, it appears like it’s yesterday.

“It doesn’t get any simpler – you simply must be taught to get used to it I suppose. I’ve coped with it okay at instances and different instances I’ve not coped with it as nicely. He would have wished me to hold on enjoying – I’m on the market attempting my hardest. Hopefully, I could make him proud.”

Selby may face Judd Trump or Mark Allen within the semi-finals on Friday night as he bids to land his first main title since claiming a fourth world title in Could 2021.