Selby secures first Champion of Champions title with gritty victory over Trump.
Mark Selby, the 42-year-old four-time world champion, has finally won his first Championship of Champions title after a tough battle against Judd Trump at Leicester's Mattioli Arena.
The match was a closely contested safety battle that saw both players struggling to make breaks and dominate frames. In the end, it was Selby who emerged victorious, taking the title with a 10-5 victory over his opponent.
Selby showed his trademark grit and determination throughout the tournament, displaying impressive defensive skills to grind down Trump's attacks. After leading by just two frames at one point in the match, he pulled away with an incredible 138 break and then went on to win nine of the remaining 11 frames to seal the victory.
Trump, who was looking to add another title to his collection, struggled with a cue that wasn't suited to him, which led to some lengthy defensive frames. The world number one couldn't get past Selby's solid defence, eventually losing for the fifth time in the final.
"This tournament has only got the best players in it, so this is a privilege," said an elated Selby after his win. "I played well today but I knew I had to. Judd is the man to beat."
Selby's semi-final victory over Neil Robertson included a nail-biting 63-minute frame that ultimately decided on the final black.
Selby's impressive performance has earned him a well-deserved win, and he will now look forward to defending his title in future tournaments.
Mark Selby, the 42-year-old four-time world champion, has finally won his first Championship of Champions title after a tough battle against Judd Trump at Leicester's Mattioli Arena.
The match was a closely contested safety battle that saw both players struggling to make breaks and dominate frames. In the end, it was Selby who emerged victorious, taking the title with a 10-5 victory over his opponent.
Selby showed his trademark grit and determination throughout the tournament, displaying impressive defensive skills to grind down Trump's attacks. After leading by just two frames at one point in the match, he pulled away with an incredible 138 break and then went on to win nine of the remaining 11 frames to seal the victory.
Trump, who was looking to add another title to his collection, struggled with a cue that wasn't suited to him, which led to some lengthy defensive frames. The world number one couldn't get past Selby's solid defence, eventually losing for the fifth time in the final.
"This tournament has only got the best players in it, so this is a privilege," said an elated Selby after his win. "I played well today but I knew I had to. Judd is the man to beat."
Selby's semi-final victory over Neil Robertson included a nail-biting 63-minute frame that ultimately decided on the final black.
Selby's impressive performance has earned him a well-deserved win, and he will now look forward to defending his title in future tournaments.
selby vs trump was so intense!! i knew marky selby had it in him all along, that man is just consistent 
can't fault him for not getting too cocky with that 138 break 
anyway, gotta say, judd trump was a bit off with his cue and it really made the difference 
but seriously, mark selby is the real deal now, he's got four world championships under his belt and a championship of champions title too 
can't wait to see what's next for him 
his safety game is insane! trump was trying so hard but just couldn't get past selby's defence lol. anyway, congrats to selby on getting that first champs title 
he deserves it after all those years of practice 
that Trump just couldn't break through 
. Mark showed us all what grit is all about 
. I love how he was like, "I need to grind" 
and then went on to make those incredible breaks 
. It's gonna be super tough for him to lose this title now 
. Trump was struggling with his cue 
, but still what a match! 
. On the other hand, Selby's victory is just another testament to how hard work and dedication can pay off in this country 
. But what really caught my attention was when Trump said he was the man to beat 
... does that sound like someone who's genuinely invested in the sport or just trying to distract us from his own woes? Let's keep an eye on this one, folks! 
. I'm so hyped for Selby now, he deserves this win after all those years of grinding 
Selby totally deserved that W! He was so clutch under pressure 
I'm loving Selby's confidence after the win, he really believes in himself and that's what sets him apart from the rest 
. and that 138 break? pure magic 
. anyway, gotta respect the champ now 
Trump had some bad days but he's still a top player, I feel for him 
selby's strategy was pure genius, using that 138 break to seal the deal 
. But you gotta respect Selby's game, he played some top-notch snooker out there 
I gotta say, this tournament was all about Selby's mental toughness! He kept pushing through even when it seemed like Trump was going to take over. And that 138 break? Insane! 
It was a game-changer for him. I think what surprised me the most was how well he managed his pressure. He could've easily gotten rattled, but instead, he used that energy to fuel his comeback. His defensive skills are just incredible - the way he neutralized Trump's attacks and created those long, drawn-out frames was masterful. And let's be real, a guy who can pull off a match like this after losing to Trump in their previous encounters is just pure determination. He totally earned that title! 
. This win is huge for him, especially after coming back from a 2-frame deficit 
. Now, can't wait to see him defend this title 
– the way he just shut down Trump's attacks and took control of those frames? Unbelievable! And that 138 break was pure magic 
. Can't wait to see him take on the rest of the field in future tournaments 
I think people are bein too harsh on Judd Trump, ya know? He's had an amazing career and still goin strong. Losin to Selby wasn't the end of the world, and it's not like he gave up or nothin'. 138 break is insane, btw! 
138 break tho