Leaping Leicester! Mark Selby Wins World Snooker Championship 2016 | Maximum Snooker - Snooker news, snooker videos, snooker pictures, snooker links | MaximumSnooker com Snooker News & Snooker Views With Stephen Kent Leaping Leicester! Mark Selby Wins World Snooker Championship 2016 Leicester's Mark Selby has won his second World Snooker Championship title just two years after his first, beating Ding Junhui 18-14 in the final at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield. Read on for the full report... With Ding one coming through in such blistering style against Alan McManus in the semifinals, many had made the Chinese number one a strong favourite against Mark Selby who struggled at times against Marco Fu in their match on Friday. Unfortunately for Ding, 2014 world champion Selby kept him frozen out in the first session, scoring top breaks of 91, 76, 120 and 70 to race to a commanding 7-1 lead.

Ding fought back strong over the next two sessions, reducing Selby's lead to only 11-10 with some fantastic scoring including two tons of 103 and 6 other 50+ breaks. Selby once again found his potting boots to take a 14-11 lead at the end of the afternoon, before resuming strong in the final session to take a commanding 16-11 lead to put himself on the cusp of victory. 11-time ranking event winner Ding fought back strongly, making breaks of 73, 70 and 103 (86th at the Crucible this tournament, joint all-time record) to give himself hope at 16-14. From then on it was all Selby as the Jester from Leicester won a tight 31st frame before sealing the 32nd with a cool break of 74 to lift the World Snooker Championship trophy for an incredible second time in just three years. "To win the world title was a huge achievement and something I'd always wanted to do, but I never dreamt of winning it twice,” said Selby.

"I don't know what is more of a shock, Leicester winning the Premier League title or me winning the world championship twice!” Many were expecting Mark Selby to win another world title at some point in his career, but to do it only two years on from his first triumph is incredible. He becomes only the 6th player in the modern era (after Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, John Higgins, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Williams) to win the title twice, and many punters will fancy their chances on Selby winning a third title in 2017. Ding Junhui probably would of guessed at 7-0 down it was very unlikely that he would go on to win his first Crucible title, but he can be incredibly proud how he responded and how he played over the past three weeks in Sheffield. Surely a first world title will come sooner than later. In other news, World Snooker have announced that the World Snooker Championship will be remaining at the Crucible Theatre until at least 2027. A huge announcement that will mean a lot for both fans of snooker and the city of Sheffield itself.

For all the frame scores, results and breaks from the World Snooker Championship 2016, head to Snooker.org.

World Snooker Championship 2016 - Final Scores Mark Selby 18-14 Ding Junhui First session: 125-8 (91), 70-68 (DJ 52), 101-43 (76), 124-0 (120) 100-0 (70), 77-38, 47-68, 14-107 Second session: 73-22, 30-92 (76), 1-103 (103), 49-93 (89) 71-1, 0-86 (86), 52-82 (55), 86-25, 67-27 Third session: 7-121 (89), 56-61, 126-11 (126), 0-103 (103) 75-43 (52), 118-9 (68), 1-69 (52), 

75-11 (55) Fourth session: Mark Selby enjoys World Championship and Leicester City double - BBC Sport BBC Sport Mark Selby enjoys World Championship and Leicester City double By Shamoon Hafez BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre 3 May Media playback is not supported on this device Highlights: Selby wins second world title Mark Selby hailed "the best night" of his life after winning the world title for a second time, 13 minutes after his home town Leicester were crowned Premier League champions.

Selby, 32, beat China's Ding Junhui 18-14 to become only the sixth multiple winner of the title in the modern era. "I don't know what is more of a shock, me winning it a second time or Leicester becoming champions," he said. "To win the title once is great, but to win it twice is a dream come true." Media playback is not supported on this device Selby 'over the moon' with world title At the start of the season, Leicester were 5,000-1 to become champions, while world number one Selby went into the final still searching for his best form. "Hopefully in another two years they will win the Premier League again and I will come back and win again," he added. "I'm quite emotional. When you look at people who've won it twice, to join that elite group is something special." Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, Ronnie O'Sullivan, John Higgins and Mark Williams are the only players in the modern era to have won two or more titles. Selby's first world title victory against O'Sullivan in 2014 was the same year in which Leicester were promoted to the top flight from the Championship.

Media playback is not supported on this device Selby wins World Snooker Championship On Monday evening, Selby - whose nickname is the Jester from Leicester - potted the first red of his match-winning 74 break at the same time as the final whistle blew at Stamford Bridge. "I didn't know Leicester had won it until after," he said. "The guy who was sat next to me called Brian told me the Chelsea v Tottenham game was 2-2 and Leicester are champions. That was the first time I knew. "Going out there, I knew the game was kicking off but I tried not to think about it too much to distract me from what I had to do." Selby brushes off criticism Media playback is not supported on this device Best shots of the World Championship Selby admitted he had played "average or lower" during the tournament and came in for criticism because of his slow and meticulous style of play. A 66-minute frame on the first day of the final was just 10 minutes short of the longest frame at the Crucible, set by Selby and Marco Fu in the semi-final. Asked if the disapproval of his performances upset him, Selby said: "Not really.

Some of the frames I made breaks in one visit and I looked at the time and it played on my mind a little. "When I made a break, I looked at the scoreboard and saw it was around 10 or 11 minutes so obviously it was not that slow. "It was just when the frames were scrappy, when I played safe, and that put Ding under pressure." Media playback is not supported on this device Mark Selby steals the show with karaoke classic Ding finally feels at home China's Ding came over to England at the age of 15 and has been living in Sheffield - the home of the Crucible Theatre - for the past decade. The 29-year-old qualifier missed the chance to become the first Asian world champion, but despite falling short this time, showed his class with 15 centuries during the tournament. "It is the first time I felt like I have played at home," he said. "The fans wanted me to win the title and they love to see other countries' players win it. It felt good. "People will be disappointed in China but there is nothing disappointing in reaching the final. I just wanted to enjoy the day.

"Five years ago I was in the semi-finals, this year I took one step up, maybe next year I will win it, but it is great experience for my career. I may never have a chance again but I enjoyed the final. Not many players can get in the final." Media playback is not supported on this device Selby creates huge cue to play pot Reprieve and resolve - key moments from the final Frame two, an early blow: Needing a snooker with the colours from the green remaining, Selby managed to get it and cleared to go 2-0 ahead. Frame seven, on the board: Having fallen 6-0 behind, Ding finally got his first frame of the final. He needed a couple of chances but the puff of the cheeks showed his relief. Frame 10, a reprieve: Selby was in among the reds when a miscue allowed Ding to counter-attack with a 76 break and he took the next two as well to cut the lead to 7-5.

Frame 15, marathon of the mind: Ding won the 66-minute frame but it seemed to take a lot out of him as Selby won the next two to lead 10-7 after the first day. Frame 23, resolve: Ding had closed to within one at 11-10, but Selby made a breaks of 52 and 68 to hold a 14-11 advantage. Frame 27, winning line in sight: Ding was on 60 points when he lost position on the penultimate red as Selby cleared up to go two away from victory. Frame 31, vital scrap: Ding had made breaks of 73, 70 and 103 to leave Selby not having made a pot for an hour, but the Englishman took a scrappy 50-minute frame to edge closer to the winning line which he managed in the next frame.

Selby's ranking titles 2008: Beats Ronnie O'Sullivan 9-8 to win Welsh Open 2011: Beats Mark Williams 10-9 in Shanghai Masters final 2012: Lifts UK Championship trophy with 10-6 win over Shaun Murphy 2014: Wins World Championship 18-14 against Ronnie O'Sullivan 2015: Secures German Masters and China Open titles 2016: Clinches second World Championship Also won the Masters, an invitational event, in 2008, 2010 and 2013 Sign up to My Sport to follow snooker news and reports on the BBC app.

2016 World Snooker Championship: Mark Selby crowned champion after beating Ding Junhui | Metro News Tom Olver for Metro.co.uk Monday 2 May 2016 10:13 pm Mark Selby is the 2016 world champion (Picture: Getty Images) Mark Selby has won the 2016 World Snooker Championship after beating Ding Junhui 18-14 in the final at the Crucible on Monday evening. The Leicester-born player, who is crowned world champion for a second time after his 2014 triumph, stormed to a 10-7 lead against Ding before holding his nerve in a tense final few frames. Selby progressed to the final after overcoming Marco Fu in a close 17-15 semi-final encounter – the 32-year-old also gained victories over Robert Milkins, Sam Baird and Kyren Wilson in the earlier rounds. The result will come as a massive blow to Ding who was again frustrated in his bid to become the first ever world champion from Asia.

It was a huge evening for sport in Leicester, with Claudio Ranieri’s Foxes side able to clinch the Premier League title if Chelsea could see off Tottenham at Stamford Bridge. Crucible 2016: Mark Selby is the Champion | Ronnie O'Sullivan Home Crucible 2016: Mark Selby is the Champion Crucible 2016: Mark Selby is the Champion Monique Professional snooker tournament Professional snooker Mark Selby won the World Championship for the second time yesterday evening, beating Ding Junhui by 18-14. It was Ding’s first World final and he was very nervous at the start, quite understandably: apparently over 200 millions were watching in China! He trailed 6-0 and never managed to catch up. But, on several occasions, he came back only one frame behind Selby. He gave it all, never gave up, and I’m certain now that he will win this one day. He’s too good not to. As for Mark Selby he showed once again how tough he is, how much he wants it. He came to this tournament in rather poor form, but battled and battled.

It wadn’t always pretty, and he got stick on social media, for playing on for unlikely snookers, and making it though for his opponents, repeatidely,bringing frames over the 45 minutes mark. But, hey, he was there to win and win he did. So, pretty or not, one can only say “Well done!” because this is sport, and Mark resilience – and skills – deserve respect and admiration. Those who watched Eurosport UK will know that this is exactly what Ronnie stressed: it’s a great asset – and he used the words “an art” – to be able to win when far from ones best. Mark of course was over the moon, not just to win, but also because his beloved Leicester City Football Club won the Premier League as well that very night. Apparently he celebrated by serving the people who attended the Champion’s party another singing performance.

A man of many talents … And this concludes the 2015/16 season … Share this: Mark Selby wins world snooker championship shortly after Leicester City wins Premier League - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Mark Selby wins world snooker championship shortly after Leicester City wins Premier League Posted May 03, 2016 08:40:51 Map: England England's Mark Selby has held his nerve in a ruthless display to beat China's Ding Junhui 18-14 and win the world snooker championship for the second time. World number one Selby, champion in 2014, never trailed in the match as he ended Ding's hopes of becoming the first Asian player to win the biggest prize in the sport. "It is fantastic," said Selby, a Leicester City fan who won his title a mere five minutes after the Foxes won a fairytale Premier League crown. "It was very special to win it two years ago, but I felt under a lot more pressure now than I did two years ago. "It was a tough final and with the amount of pressure Ding is under, from China alone but to play like that.

I can't imagine how he could do that." Ding, who lost the first six frames, fought back on Sunday to leave Selby 10-7 ahead overnight at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England. The Chinese player started well on Monday and reduced the deficit to 11-10 but Selby rallied and went into the final session 14-11 ahead. Selby, 32, extended his advantage to 16-11 but Ding, the first Asian player to reach the final, was not finished, conjuring up breaks of 70, 73 and 103 to fight back to 16-14. The 31st frame was crucial, Selby producing superbly disciplined snooker to win it after a 51-minute tactical battle and he dominated the next to seal the title. "In the first to 18, a 6-0 lead is not a huge one, especially against someone like Ding," said Selby. "He played fantastically earlier today and I had to just hang on to him. I'm just over the moon.

I saved my best performance for the final and I only had two good sessions in the tournament." Selby became the 13th player to win the world title more than once. Only three players from outside Britain and Ireland have won the crown, Australian Horace Lindrum in 1952, Canadian Cliff Thorburn in 1980 and Australian Neal Robertson in 2010. "I had a very bad start 6-0 down, I couldn't win a frame. I was a bit nervous as I hadn't been in a final before," said the 29-year-old Ding, a former world number one who had to qualify for the tournament after slipping to 17th in the world rankings. Reuters Mark Selby interview: 'I'd sacrifice World Championship triumph for Leicester City title glory' - World Championship 2015-2016 - Snooker - Eurosport UK Mark Selby interview: 'I'd sacrifice World Championship triumph for Leicester City title glory' 0 0 Desmond Kane catches up with Mark Selby ahead of what could be a historic weekend for snooker's world number one at the Crucible Theatre and his football team Leicester City at Old Trafford.

See alsoSelby and Fu produce two escapes you simply will not believe For football fans with a life-long vocation to their local team, it does not have an easy answer. For life-long Leicester City supporter Selby, it is quite excruciating. If he had the choice, would Selby trade in the chance to win a second World Championship and a record £330,000 winners’ cheque for his club, 5,000-1 shots Leicester and everybody's second favourite team these days, to lift a first Premier League title? Video - This or That: Mark Selby 00:44 For his football team, it sounds a lot more simple. Selby is aiming to reach his third world final on Sunday, a day when Leicester could be anointed Premier League champions if they overcome Manchester United at Old Trafford. With Tottenham seven points behind, Claudio Ranieri's side require only one win from their final three games to complete the task. Watch this event on Eurosport Player There is a possibility of a Leicester double celebration with Selby hoping to repeat the scenes of 2014 when he paraded the World Championship trophy at the King Power Stadium after he overcame Ronnie O’Sullivan.

“I did say that I’d forego the title to see Leicester win the title, but I said that because Leicester have more or less as good as won it,” said Selby. "It is still not guaranteed yet, but it is in their hands. They need to lose it rather than Tottenham win it. As far as that is concerned, yeah, I’d definitely trade me winning it for them. " “It looks likes Leicester have nearly done it, but as far I’m concerned, I’ve still got a long way to go yet. Mark Selby (AFP)AFP “I’m confident they’ll get over the line. I think they’ll win one of their closing three matches, and also if Chelsea beat Spurs, they would do it for us. “Just them being in the top four is fantastic, and being in the Champions League. If they win it is a bonus really, but hopefully I can join them as winners.” Selby is in the middle day of a three-day green baize acid test against Fu that began on Thursday, runs through Friday before drawing its final breath Saturday with the first man to 17 frames reaching the final.

It feels like more like Test match cricket or a golf tournament than snooker and is at odds with sport in the modern era where a resolution on the day is very much desired. The straight-talking Selby remains a traditionalist and a devotee of this form of snooker where it is as vital to not over-think between sessions as much as during them. “It has been like this for so many years now, but you know that before the tournament,” said Selby. “You come prepared and if you know if you get far in the tournament, you are going to have to go through that. “It is great being out in the arena here, and the more times you do it the better. “It is a long duration, but it also gives you time to get into the match. It gives you time to perform, and if you have a bad session, it gives you time to recover.” Video - Mark Selby and Marco Fu show their class with two astonishing shots. 00:51 “It is a fantastic venue in general,” said Selby. “I think it should stay here. It is like Wembley is to football, but I understand why they want a bit more room for more spectators to watch.

“It has got so much history and prestige, it would be a shame if it did move from here.” Selby, 32, has appeared to play in fits and starts on his sojourn to the last four, showing glimpses of his very best in wins over Robert Milkins, Sam Baird and Kyren Wilson, but also looking a little tired. Fu fought back from trailing 5-3 overnight to level matters at 8-8 against a player who decided to opt out of the China Open and the Players Championship to prepare for this 17-day mental examination to find the game’s world champion. “I came here a bit fatigued last year,” said Selby. “It is a long old season, and I thought it might be better to miss a few tournaments and come here fresh. “At the moment, it seems to be working. I think the tournament can make you a bit jaded in general. “You have to concentrate hard for long periods of a match, for long durations. That is why I took the time out.

If I had been playing in tournaments before arriving here, it would have drained me even more.” Selby does not feel he is playing at the same level as when he recovered from 10-5 behind to complete a remarkable 18-14 win over Ronnie O’Sullivan two years ago, but is of a mind the World Championship is very much an event to time one's run. Mark Selby battles with Marco Fu in the World Championship semi-final - pic courtesy Tai Chengzhe.Eurosport “You are not going to play fantastic snooker in every session. “I can reflect on winning the final here to give myself confidence, and it is nice to remind yourself that you can do it. “Every player goes through slumps. I’ve got great memories from 2014 with all my family and friends here. “But this year is totally different. When I’ve not played great in this tournament, I’ve dug in. You have to show character.

“You dig in and when I’m among the balls I’ve proved that I can score as well as anybody here.” Selby lives in a pad in the countryside with a swimming pool with wife Vikki and baby daughter Sofia Maria – “I swim depths rather than lengths,” he has joked – but has yet to take the plunge in learning to swim. “Learning to swim is still on the agenda now that I have that the little one, but I’ve not got round it yet," says the man nicknamed the "Jester from Leicester". Selby is suddenly in at the deep end in this year’s World Championship. It is sink or swim. And the $64,000 question is this: will he finish like his beloved Leicester or Spurs?

From Desmond Kane at the Crucible Theatre On the same topic ﻿Mark Selby wins 2016 World Snooker Championship after beating Ding Junhui | UK Business and Sports News UK Business and Sports News MA Consultancy / WelshBiz Mark Selby is the 2016 world champion (Picture: Getty Images)Mark Selby has won the 2016 World Snooker Championship after beating Ding Junhui 18-14 in the final at the Crucible on Monday evening. The Leicester-born player, who is crowned world champion for a second time after his 2014 triumph, stormed to a 10-7 lead against Ding before… Ding Junhui Mark Selby snooker Post navigation Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Join 101,006 other followers Business Logo’s & Banner Ads UK Banner Advertising "Essential Business Services - click image" Looking for B2B Marketing to Welsh Businesses? Join our WelshBiz Web Marketing Club from just £150 Search Engine Optimisation Looking for Help with Auto-Enrolment Business LPA’s Book a meeting with a specialist today!

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South West England Business News Blog London & SE Business News Blog Midlands Biz Blog – Midlands Biz News Northern Biz Blog – Northern Biz News World Snooker Championship 2016 final - Mark Selby beats Ding Junhui to become world champion for second time World Snooker Championship 2016 final - Mark Selby beats Ding Junhui to become world champion for second time Mark Selby has beaten Ding Junhui Leicester: sporting capital of the universe Absurd stuff. Selby lifts that trophy again Selby wins the world championship and, apparently, legendary Channel 4 gameshow The Crystal Maze. 10:09PM Mark Selby beats Ding Junhui 18-14 to become world champion He points to his wife in the posh seats, misses a presentable pot, Ding concedes and Mark Selby is the world champion again! Selby well on the way Will Ding be back at the table? Selby is cruising to this frame so far. 9:57PM One final telling-off at the Crucible "Can everyone make sure their mobile phones are off, don't be the idiot that spoils this!" scolds the referee. Brilliant.

9:56PM LEICESTER CITY ARE PREMIER LEAGUE CHAM.....Selby breaks ...and he also gets the chance to scatter the reds and bury this final once and for all. Job done: Mark Selby 17 Ding Junhui 14 All his experience, and that cool composure - he tidies up that mess and Ding concedes! 9:48PM "Foul...and a miss" Ding ends a period of tedium by swerving the cue ball towards a red...but edges the black instead. Selby's 43 ahead with 51 remaining. Ding has another go...and now Selby's in some bother! He gets out of it...and Ding misses a red along the far cushion. Just put this to bed Selby, there's some football on. 9:37PM Selby edging his way to the frame? Not quite. Red into the middle brings up a break of 20 (leading 43-7) but he's very straight on the pink and has nowhere to go!

He plonks the cue ball behind the blue and gives Ding this tester: Ding returns the favour before Selby finds the sanctuary of the baulk cushion...and so too does Ding. 9:33PM Ding back at the table...but not for long Selby misses a long red, but Ding over-cuts one of his own and lets his opponent back in. "One." Easy green, tidy long red, pink into the middle...Selby is finally in the groove. 9:30PM Selby digs one out Hampered by the blue, Selby still takes that red on...and makes it! 23-7 in this frame, but still he doesn't look like streaking away with it in Frame 31. 9:27PM Position is nine tenths of the law Selby can't get a break going, so opts to all the way back for the green and plant the cue ball on the baulk cushion - your move, Ding. 9:24PM Cagey again Selby sinks this tight black - his nemesis last time - but gets no luck with the cue ball from there - straight into a gaggle of reds.

"Touching ball - both reds" I'm not sure there's a word for what Ding has just attempted there, but it worked and balls are touching again. Isn't this fun? 9:15PM Don't be blue 7 up, but Ding can't control a long blue with the rest and Selby's back in the game. The reds don't look too shabby from here... ....but he fluffs this black! Ding opts to guide the cue ball back to safety and begin the next war of attrition. 9:10PM Selby misses! Ding gave him a real opening with a makeable, long-ish red into the corner, but it rattled against the jaws! Ding tucks gleefully into the reds now... 9:07PM First glimpse of a chance An awkward-looking frame (which I gather may not be the first) is finally opened up by Mark Selby, who pots his first ball in an hour. Off the mark but, without a decent colour to capitalise on it with, he rolls up behind the yellow. Ding finds a red and, even better, doesn't give Selby a potting chance.

9:02PM Ding applying the pressure A good break in Frame 31 from the Chinese hope. Selby assesses his options and finds the baulk cushion in tidier fashion than in Frame 30. 9:00PM Century boy: Mark Selby 16 Ding Junhui 14 On 90, Ding squeezes the black in with the tightest of cuts. That leaves an absurd cut on a red for 98...and he does it! Blue brings up the century, he misses the next red, but who cares: 16-14! 8:57PM Into the blue A no-nonsense blue into the middle gives Ding the chance to scatter the reds, which doesn't go entirely to plan. Out comes the rest, and - once again in this break - he settles back down to business. He should be home and dry now for 16-14. 8:55PM Ding dangling He looks to have come undone at 43, but a well-judged red is cut to a blind pocket, followed by the black, and he's back in control.

Not the tidiest break of all time, but 60 in front and counting... 8:52PM Ding picking off the reds He's given a scare on 28 when the cue ball nestles next to a red, but he pokes it the middle pocket and regains that rhythm. Frame chance here, no doubt. 8:49PM Finally a chance for Ding ...and he takes it! The Crucible love that. He opts for the blue to follow that up, and off he goes... 8:47PM 57 seconds of thought for Selby He delicately pushes the ball off the side cushion and it nestles against the bulk of the reds. Ding puts him back on the baulk cushion, from where they both attempt an ambitious long red to get this frame going. 8:45PM Nervy Dings responds by plonking the cue ball over the right pocket, giving Selby an awkward one - he's a bit thin off the reds and gives Ding a chance for some solid safety work. 8:43PM Back on the baize for Frame 30 Mark Selby breaks, and they're back for some more snooker.

Hopefully not too much more - no-one wants too much snooker. 8:25PM Mark Selby 16 Ding Junhui 13 Ding wins that frame. We go to the mid session interval with the margin as it was at the start of the day. "I thought he was starting to weaken," says John Parrott. "But Ding has shown that he is hanging on in there." Selby won the first two frames there and it did look like Ding might be fading. But he has rallied. All that said, Selby is still nicely placed with a three-frame lead, and needs just two more frames to win it. Ding can clear up these colours at his leisure now And he will go into the mid-session interval still in the match. Ding has this red to go 52 ahead with 51 remaining Credit: BBC He's got it! And he makes sure of the pink into the centre. He is going to win this frame. Selby though leaves a rattler in the jaws of the bottom right pocket Ding knocks that ball in with a plant. Okay. Chances now.

BUT he has let the situation get away from him And Selby is in with a chance 8:09PM But Ding has cracked one in And he has got the cue ball right up the other end for a simple snooker. Selby's escape is poor, Ding is left on a red and he is in a good position here now. Taking turns to have a nudge of that pack Credit: BBC Here's what they are playing for Credit: BBC But he has missed the yellow Lucky for him, he hasn't left an obvious chance. And Ding is in the game here as well Pings in a pot. Mark Selby 16 Ding Junhui 12 No century, but Ding is on the board in the evening session. Ding is on the fight back! This man is not ready to give it up yet He has produced a really smart, gutsy break here, 73 and counting. 7:51PM Ding out of luck Goes into the reds but things don't break as he would have liked. Has to just settle on the top cush and hand it over to Dat Guy Selbz. First blood to Ding as he clips a red into centre And he's on the blue. Game on.

2002 – Peter Ebdon from Islington Snooker World Champ, Arsenal from Islington Premier League winners. 2016 – Mark Selby from Leicester.... 7:44PM But would you believe this? He has potted the pink but left himself a really hard cut on the black.... so tough... he has done it. Wow. Good shot. Frame to Selby. Mark Selby 16 Ding Junhui 11 That is an absolutely sickening blow for Ding. 7:42PM Selby fighting back hard in this frame 45 to 60 now. Gets the brown. Decent but not perfect on the blue. But he is perfect on the pink! 7:39PM A scuffling exchange now Neither man playing at his best. The luck with Selby as he takes on a couple of long pots misses and does not leave them. But Selby has doubled one into the middle! Oooh that is a gutshot for Ding. The back-cross double. And he's on a colour. 7:36PM Disappointing end to that break He snookers himself behind the pink and has to stop on 60.

He tries to convince himself that he can get through, but has to wisely admit to himself that he cannae. Credit: BBC 7:32PM Opportunity for Ding! Come on son. He has it all to do in this frame. Lovely little shot on the black that removes two reds off the top cush. He has left one But Selby couldn't force it through. Think Ding's head's going here, body language of a defeated man at the minute. Selbz though. #Selbz 7:26PM But again, he loses a bit of position He's scuffling, battling. plays a really superb blue with great cue power and goes off two cushions into the pack, needs a bit of luck but they won't break for him. He plays up to baulk for a snooker, and a 27 point break. Credit: BBC Foul and a miss first time.. Tries to drop onto the cluster.... but has he left one? Selby gets another heavy contact though As he pots a routine blue. He has had a few in this match Ding's had another wild pot And he has missed again... and he has left one for Mark into the bottom right.

Selby looking like means business now. "Right in the heart of the pocket," says KenDo. "That gives you a lift." That pot rattles home and Selby has a chance to drive another nail in 7:16PM Mark Selby 15 Ding Junhui 11 Nervy pot attempt that from Ding. Selby let him off the hook once but not twice and this is 15-11. Ding takes on a red into the bottom right And he has missed that one as well. Well, that's this frame down the swanee. He has missed two pottable chances, especially the second one, and Selby is going to get home with ease here. But he has misjudged this Credit: BBC This does not look to good at all for Ding Selby is onto 50 7:09PM Selby with a simple one up by the yellow pocket Soon back down with the black and this looks a really good chance to put Ding in his box right away. Ding has a long pot... .. and he has missed it. Credit: BBC 7:06PM Great atmosphere And a terrific hand for Ding who, of course, plays out of Sheffield.

It is Mark Selby to break in frame 26. Not sure Steve and John look too sure about this Credit: BBC The evening session is here Come on Ding. You can do it mate. Would be great for the sport wouldn't it? More good snooker news Barry Hearn announces the World Championship will stay at the Crucible in Sheffield for another ten years. 6:30PM Good news, that, IMHO I was thinking the other day about the snooker: some really happy memories of watching it with my dad and grandma. It's got an inter-generational appeal that lots of sports don't. Important, to my mind anyway, that it stays on the free-to-air BBC. 6:03PM Some Snooker News The BBC will continue to broadcast three of snooker’s biggest tournaments until the end of the 2018/19 season. Extending the current agreement by two years, the new deal sees the BBC continue as host TV broadcaster of the three events known collectively as the Triple Crown - World Championship, the UK Championship and the Masters.

Barbara Slater, Director of BBC Sport, said: “With another exciting World Championships drawing to a close there is no better time to reinforce our commitment to one of our nation’s most treasured sports. This deal keeps the three biggest tournaments in the snooker calendar on the BBC until 2019 and we know there will be millions of snooker fans across the country celebrating the fact that they can continue to watch world class snooker on free-to-air television.” World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: "Our agreement with the BBC is one of the cornerstones of our sport and we are delighted to extend it for an extra two years. These three major tournaments are much loved by the public, they are part of the fabric of British sport. “The BBC’s coverage of the World Championship last year alone was watched by over 15 million people, proving how popular our sport is. “The BBC and their production company IMG do a tremendous job in their coverage of snooker and this new deal is fantastic news for the many millions of people throughout the UK who love watching it.

Our Triple Crown tournaments are three of the highpoints of the sporting calendar so fans will be thrilled that they will remain on terrestrial television." 5:59PM And you would have to fancy his chances Ding has the ability to score heavily but the matchplay of Selby is something to behold. A proper battler. The man from China will need seven frames out of ten. Possible, but very tough. Mark Selby will be the sport's 13th multiple World Champ If he can win four frames tonight. Mark Selby 14 Ding Junhui 11 Selby won three of four after the mid-session interval. Ding has gone in off And he has conceded the frame. No. He cannot make it count Shame Key frame this, the last of the afternoon session A few jabs thrown but it hasn't taken shape yet. Selby is lining up this red near the bottom left hand corner... Credit: BBC Mark Selby 13 Ding Junhui 11 So Ding hits back after two in a row from Selby. 5:12PM That lets Ding in And he really should bury this frame. A poor positional shot...

But he is sufficiently far ahead that Selby does not get up once Ding puts it safe. Frame to Ding. Selby furious after a kick Horrid kick on a simple pink. He swishes his cue through the air in fury. Credit: BBC 5:09PM Selby struggles If Selby wins this it could conceivably be said that he'll be world champion having only really played at his best in 2, maybe 3 sessions. 5:04PM Ooh but here is a tricky one He had the cue extension out as he tried to get the angle on the black... leaves himself a tricky black. It wipes its feet but goes in. Credit: BBC Gets the full ball kiss. But is a bit unlucky as he does not end up on one. Huge frame here at 13-10. And Ding's in here. Come on son. Ding off to a flyer with a great pot here He's on the blue. 4:57PM Mark Selby 13 Ding Junhui 10 These two frames are huge for Ding. "If he doesn't win at least one this is over," says Parrott.

"There is no way he is giving Mark Selby a five frame start in the final session and winning." 4:56PM John Parrott "I think that cannon into the three reds there in the frame before last has really changed the match. Ding had the momentum before that." 4:51PM This frame following a familiar pattern Selby has worked hard and has 50 points on the board. But he has missed a gettable red, this one along the cushion, to give Ding a chance. But Ding has made a pig's ear of i! He has handed Selby a big chance here. Credit: BBC He should make this two frames in a row now, and that would in turn mean that he would start the final, evening session with a guaranteed lead. That lady was totally losing the plot. Credit: BBC 4:41PM Selby and his long cue Have got the white ball safe, there is an exchange, and now Selby is back at the table attempting a long red. He has missed it and has cannoned the blue. 4:39PM Selby has got the furniture out He's extending his long cue. One lady in the crowd is having hysterics!

Calm yourself, madam. He's from Leicester. Credit: BBC Selby wins the first one after the interval Mark Selby 12 Ding Junhui 10 But Ding's next safety shot is poor He has let Selby in, he pots the yellow, nice pot. Yep, he's clearing up here. That leaves Mark 66 to 39 ahead And Ding plays a good safety... Selby misses. Four points to Ding. Ooh Mark cannot believe it! This black is frame ball... Credit: BBC 4:21PM No. He cannot. He has left Selby a long red And Selby has taken advantage. The 39 points Ding has on the board are not going to save him if Mark can get started here. 4:20PM Can Ding put something together here? He's in amongst it after a cheeky pink to the centre. And just as it looks like he is setting himself up to level the match, he cannons into a trio of reds and fails to break them up. That's going to mean the end of his break. Can he at least get a good safety? 4:16PM Mark Selby is at the table Eyeing up a long red.

He goes down for it. He gets up. Someone in the crowd has disturbed him. Glares. Gets down again. Plays with terrific power... but misses it. That's a chance for Ding. He's got it! Welcome back to the afternoon session Another cagey little number gets us going. 3:49PM Eric's got a theory here by the way Poor old selby wants to be world champion but its worth more money to him in the future if he loses ¡ — Eric Bristow MBE (@ericbristow) May 1, 2016 He reckons that the players want Ding to win, because Ding win ---> increased popularity of the sort in China ---> more bunce for snooker players. 3:49PM Crafty Cockney All the pro snooker players want selby to lose just like our football we want leicester to win league Mid session interval: Mark Selby 11 Ding Junhui 10 This is on. 3:46PM Ding wins the fourth frame of the afternoon That's three of them he has won today, compiling his 14th century of the tournament in the process. 3:45PM This pink for a hundred...

Lovely. A fine break, this. A tricky little red to cut in.... nope, it will not drop. He will settle for 103 and the frame. 3:45PM The match has changed gear Over the last two frames. The first two of the session took an age, and then we had Selby's 126. Ding is all set to move pas that in some style. He has 89 already and is playing with the calm rhythm of a man casually clearing up in practice. The reds have opened up nicely for the 29-year-old cueist from Yixing. 3:41PM Fourth frame of the day And it is Ding who is in business. He's up in the business area around the black, he's onto nine and he has one red just by the black spot. 3:33PM Selby wraps that up. 11-9 He's on the board for today with a classy 126, the highest break of the final and a very welcome settler. For the fans, not just for the player! Hendry "This would be a great time for his second century of the match," says the great Scotsman.

3:29PM Selby is looking much more the part now He is putting together a nice fluent break. He's moved to 70 and he is going to wrap this frame up. 3:23PM But Selby is sitting on his tookus in the third frame too Ding has slotted a glorious long red, although he ends up all the way down for the green. And shortly afterwards, the move grinds to a halt. Ding has fought like a lion to win those first two. Selby needs to get on the board here. 3:16PM No formality to clean up from here though The pink is along the cushion. It's 56 to 43. Blue is easy, it's about whether he can roll up for that pink. That'll do! Credit: BBC Takes his time... rolls it in... And adds the black. Ding wins the second frame of the day 3:15PM Ding is the one asking the questions in this safety exchange but Selby has fought his corner well. BUT he has left one here, a tough pot into the bottom left corner. Ding has clipped it in! Now he is in business. Both of these guys digging in here.

Not pretty, but gutsy. Selby misses the red ball Ding invites him to have another go. This is turning into The Somme of safety battles Selby on 56, Ding on 22. One red left. Neither man giving an inch. Credit: BBC 3:05PM Now it's Ding who is snookered He's in baulk, behind the green and brown, the last remaining red is around the blue spot, protected by blue and yellow. he fouls, and a miss. Has another go. He's hit it! And he has had a stroke of luck, that has gone safe. 3:01PM Tell you what this is going to be a marathon session! Selby, the crazy horse, is seeing if he can not only escape from this snooker but lay one of his one! Credit: BBC 3:00PM This one might be the key He has to pot the black and try to clip the red, the penultimate red, off the side cush... ooh hard lines he has not got it. Another safety battle is joined!

2:55PM Good grief this is #notaclassic so far It's Mark now who has a chance in this hard yards second frame, both lads missing pots hither and yon. Mark with a nice settler, though, as he cuts one into the left centre, a wonderful shot. 2:46PM But it is Ding who is emerging from this ugly frame in front He is at the table, 14 points plays 16, reds all over the shop but none of them easy. This is not the table of two players in the zone, is it? Credit: BBC 2:38PM But he in turn loses position This is scrappy stuff. Now Selby is cleaning his cue with a cloth, he looks unsettled, fiddly. He has missed one by a mile now. The upshot of that is that he has left Ding a long pot And Enter The Dragon has sunk it! Selby pulls up, someone in the crowd has distracted him He is muttering, chuntering. And he has played a bad shot. He's frustrated. "When players are looking for excuses it means they are not concentrating properly," says S Hendry.

"When you are really concentrating you don't even notice things." Ding tries an aggressive fine cut into the corner Credit: BBC 2:27PM Second frame of the day Ding with a good break, Selby leaves him a tricky one into the yellow pocket... and he has nailed it! 2:26PM This has turned into a really lovely break from Ding He has a century for the taking... but he screws back into the middle pocket on the pink. No matter. He's off and running today with a break of 89. Ding wins the first frame of the day and it is 10-8 "That is a brilliant start, and the best thing is that he has won that in one visit. You don't want to be using up too much petrol," says John Parrot. Credit: BBC Ding looking brisk and businesslike now He's rattling off a handy half century and this frame is in the bag. And Ding capitalises He's rattled the red in, and now he is in a fine position to take this opener. Roy Keane in the house! Credit: BBC Well, Selby has missed it! Oh dear.

A nervy start from both men But it is Ding who cracks first And he has left a (tricky) red over the bottom right.... 2:15PM Ding having to battle with himself in this first frame of the day, he has not controlled the white ball as well as he would like. He has to come into the pack with loads of side and, sadly for him, he is not on a red. He will settle for a break of 32 and a good safety shot. Credit: BBC So a nervy start from both players But Ding gets another chance. He is in here. Credit: BBC 2:10PM Selby to break And it's not the best break. He has left a red to the bottom left corner... but Ding misses it. Credit: BBC That lets Selby in. Decent chance. He pots a red. But Selby has missed a simple blue! The players are in the arena And we have eight frames this afternoon. 2:07PM 6-0 down yesterday Ding did well to get back into it.

I wonder once it gets close if the pressure will come back onto him 2:05PM Selby won the last two After that safety marathon in the 15th frame, Ding finally won but Selby picked up the last two. He looked seriously drained by the experience. Ding looked fresher though. 1:58PM Last night was a proper war of attrition I think the key frame may turn out to be that 66 minute safety battle that Selby lost. BUT even though he lost, it seemed to really drain Ding, and it took a lot of momentum away from the Chinese star. 1:57PM Snooker time! Bit of a new departure for us, blogging this. Get in touch if you like. Probably easiest @alantyers. Or you can email alan dot tyers @ telegraph dot co dot uk 1:13PM The build up Just under an hour to go now until the third session begins so welcome to our live blog. It's delicately poised as we head into day two, so have a read of our preview below to get up to date with yesterday's goings on at the Crucible. Preview What time is the final?

After a dramatic day of action on Sunday, the World Snooker Championship final continues on Bank Holiday Monday, with two sessions scheduled, the first of which starts at 2pm. After a break, the finely poised match is expected to go into a second session, which starts at 7pm. Ding lines up a shot Credit: PA What TV channel is it on? Both sessions will be live on BBC TWO and the BBC Sport website, while Alan Tyers will be covering the final here on this very page. What's the score? 17 frames and nearly eight hours of play have have elapsed already, with world number one Mark Selby leading Ding Junhui 10-7. Selby and Ding assess the situation Credit: PA In a best-of-35 final, Selby needs eight more frames to take the title, but given that Ding has already fought back from 6-0 down, he won't be taking anything for granted. What's happened so far? Ding Junhui put a harrowing start behind him to force his way back into the Betfred World Championship final and revive the prospect of glory for China at the Crucible.

He trailed 6-0 at one stage against Mark Selby but hit the comeback trail on Sunday evening, recovering to close to within a single frame at one stage. But Ding's hopes were jolted as midnight passed, and Selby took the final two frames of the session to lead 10-7 heading into the second day. Selby is 10-7 up Credit: GETTY IMAGES A 66-minute 15th frame went Ding's way, but Selby made him almost kneel down and beg for it, playing on for snookers for an age. It completely sapped the momentum that Ding was building, and meant that a frame Selby lost could ultimately prove one of his most important in the match. The roar as Ding dropped in the pink came at 11.09pm. Selby looked as though he could play all night though as he established his three-frame cushion by sinking the green in frame 17 at 12.23am. In the best-of-35 contest, there is leeway for a slow start.

Dennis Taylor famously won the world title in 1985 from 8-0 adrift of Steve Davis, and Ronnie O'Sullivan trailed Graeme Dott 5-0 in 2004 before hot-footing to an 18-8 victory. The manner of Ding's early showing had been concerning on many counts. For those hoping the clash of two snooker titans would produce a thrilling match, there was the sense of anti-climax. For Ding's many millions of supporters watching at home in China, late at night, there was utter despondency. And for those with tickets for the evening session on Monday, there must have been the suspicion the match would be already over before then. Selby certainly did not welcome the Ding resurgence, which featured a crowd-pleasing 103 break, but it saved the final from becoming a procession. Ding reacts after a missed shot Credit: Barcroft Media The last triumph with a session to spare came in 1993, when Stephen Hendry drubbed Jimmy White 18-5.

The heaviest defeat in a Crucible final came in 1989, when John Parrott took an 18-3 pounding at the hands of Steve Davis. Monday could bring twin sporting celebrations for Selby's home city of Leicester, as he bids to win a second world title and Claudio Ranieri's Premier League leaders hope a favour from Chelsea against Tottenham brings them trophy glory. For China, a Ding win would mean a breakthrough moment for the country that has taken snooker to its heart. Ireland's Ken Doherty, Australia's Neil Robertson and Canada's Cliff Thorburn are the only players from outside Britain to have scooped snooker's premier prize in Sheffield. Ding is coached by Terry Griffiths, the 1979 world champion and a man labelled "Obi-Wan Griffiths" by Robertson. Griffiths has worked on fortifying the 29-year-old's mental approach and it showed. In the 2007 Masters final, Ding lost his focus and was picked apart 10-3 by Ronnie O'Sullivan, but his recovery here suggested his mind was on the task.

Should Ding stage another fightback and lift the trophy on Monday evening, it would be a triumph that has been long in coming. He clinched three ranking titles as a teenager, including the UK Championship, but has struggled in Sheffield. Despite living in the Steel City for the last 10 years, the Crucible is a venue for which he has shown little love. Doherty, world champion in 1997, was glad to see Ding in the final. "I'm delighted for Ding, because it's a fantastic story," Doherty told Press Association Sport. "He's on the cusp of greatness now if he can achieve his ultimate goal and win it. "It's probably a little bit of a surprise that it's taken so long for him to get to a world final.

"He's had his struggles with playing here and not liking the venue so much, but now he's got used to it and gained the confidence and momentum, he believes now that he can win this championship." Follow the latest Telegraph Snooker news READ MORE ABOUT: Editor's Choice 06 Jan 2017, 10:28am Selby wins World Championship for second time with win over Ding - World Championship 2015-2016 - Snooker - Eurosport UK Selby wins World Championship for second time with win over Ding 0 0 Mark Selby was crowned snooker’s world champion for the second time after an absorbing 18-14 victory over Ding Junhui at the Crucible. Watch live on Eurosport and Eurosport Player Fourth session Ding kept in touch with the 2014 winner but could never make up enough ground after world number one Selby opened up a 6-2 lead in the first session on Sunday. A crucial moment came at 15-11 to Selby when he overran his shot on the pink to give himself a tricky position on the black at 60-60 in the frame.

But with Ding looking on in hope, sensing a chance to claw his way back into the contest again, Selby cut the black into the pocket brilliantly to put himself within two frames of glory. Ding responded magnificently, though, rattling in the next three frames to move to within two frames of Selby, in a match which was becoming something of a classic. Ding’s 103 break to make it 16-14 was the 86th of the tournament – equaling last year’s record. But Selby saw out the match, just minutes after his beloved Leicester City had won the Premier League. Fourth session : 103-0 (57), 67-60 (DJ 60), 0-87 (73), 0-108 (70), 0-103 (103), 59-11 Third session Ding Junhui made headway into Mark Selby's overnight advantage of three frames, heading in at the mid-session interval just one behind, at 11-10.

Video - Ding hits back 00:18 Ding recorded his 14th century break of the tournament just before the interval - he requires three more for an individual world championship record. Selby returned after the interval rejuvenated, though, and capitalised on some good fortune as well as terrific shot-making to pull away from his opponent. Third session (so far, Selby first): 7-121 (89), 56-61, 126-11 (126), 0-103 (103), 75-43 (52), 118-9 (68), 1-69 (52) Video - Selby responds 01:16 Second session Selby punched his fist in delight after scrambling over the line in the 17th and final frame of Sunday's prolonged play, which included an epic 15th frame that lasted an astonishing 66 minutes, relieved to protect a lead that was in danger of collapse as Ding mounted a spirited recovery. Qualifier Ding - the first man from Asia to contest a world final - seemed suffocated by nerves after trailing 6-0 early on.

Video - Selby shows emotion 00:30 Selby steeled himself for another push in the final two frames of the session. Despite being visibly tired, the world number one fell over the line to leave himself eight frames short of winning a second world title on Monday. It is the first time Selby has carried an overnight lead into the final day of the tournament having trailed John Higgins 12-4 in 2007 and Ronnie O'Sullivan 10-7 two years ago. Ding will be heartened by his effort, and still has a strong chance to make history with 100m fans watching on TV in China and willing him to make history back in his homeland. Selby extended his lead with the first frame of the second session, though Ding returned the deficit to four frames when he won the second with a break of 76. A lovely 103 gave Ding the third frame, and he snatched the fourth frame before the mid-session interval after a safety joust. Ding was the victor, and moved within two frames of his opponent. Selby moved 8-5 clear with his first frame after the interval.

The next frame was a re-rack, and Ding again cut the lead to two frames, but the nearest he got was to within one frame before Selby's late surge provided him with a sense of comfort heading for his night's sleep. Second Session (10-7): 73-22, 30-92 (76), 1-103 (103), 49-93 (89), 71-1, 0-86 (86), 52-82 (55), 86-25, 67-27 First Session Mark Selby took a comfortable 6-2 lead at the end of the first session of the World Snooker Championships final. Selby started the first session brightly. He seized on an error from Ding to make a break of 91. It appeared that Ding would level with the second frame, but Selby, requiring snookers, snatched it to move into a 2-0 lead. Video - Selby's break 01:54 Ding appeared to have won his first frame as he started brightly in the third, only for Selby to hit back.

Ding tried to force a win with some attempted snookers, but he couldn’t win enough points and ultimately conceded the frame. A century break from Selby moved him onto a 4-0 lead before the mid-session interval. Selby eased into a 6-0 lead before a scrappy, drawn-out seventh frame was won by Ding for his first frame of the match, and fought his way to a 6-2 scoreline, giving him fresh hope for the second session. Video - Selby's break

Question: In 2016 Mark Selby from Leicester won for the second time the World Championship for?
Answer: Snooker