Tue. Sep 17th, 2024
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Mark Selby
Mark Selby had lost his seven previous matches against Neil Robertson

Mark Selby will face Luca Brecel in the final of the English Open in Brentwood, Essex on Sunday.

Four-time world champion Selby knocked out holder Neil Robertson 6-4 in a high-quality semi-final.

In the evening session, Belgian Brecel celebrated a comfortable 6-2 victory over Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen.

“I’m really happy,” said 2019 English Open champion Selby, having avenged a defeat to Robertson in the 2020 semi-finals.

Selby had battled back from 3-1 down on his way to victory, making two centuries and three breaks over 50.

The 39-year-old ended a run of seven defeats against the 40-year-old Australian to reach his first ranking final since winning the 2021 world title.

Selby added: “The last two or three times he’s beaten me he has played faultless snooker – it was a bit like playing against a computer.

“I knew I needed to win frames in one visit to beat Neil and I managed to do that.”

Brecel made breaks of 61, 55, 50 and 71 as he raced to a five-frame lead over Allen and although the 36-year-old Northern Irishman pulled the next two frames back, Brecel kept his cool to win.

“I felt good today,” the 27-year-old told Eurosport.

“I missed a couple at 5-1, but every time I come under pressure I feel quite good. I’m not going to crumble. If you are confident and calm, good things are going to happen.”

The final starts at 13:00 GMT and is the best of 17 frames.

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