Williams test for Selby

Selby: Tough UK test

I think if you'd go and ask all the players, I think they'd all say they prefer the longer format. You can get away with having a bad session and still come through the match and win.

Mark Selby
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Mark Selby admits he has a tough opening the UK Championship as he faces former world champion Mark Williams in Telford.

Welshman Williams came from 7-6 down to beat Gerard Greene 9-7 in the qualifying tournament to make the first round proper of the UK Championship.

It is a tough draw for Selby, as he faces a former world champion and two-time UK Championship winner in the opening round of the tournament, which starts on Saturday.

Selby is aware that he has been given one of the toughest draws possible, but the world number four is nevertheless looking forward to the contest.

The Masters champion accepts that left-hander Williams will represent a tough challenge, but is confident of making it through.

Challenge

"Obviously he's a great player, a two-time former world champion so its going to be a tough game," Selby told skysports.com

"But I get on quite well with Mark, we're quite good friend, so I'm going to enjoy it and hopefully I can come through it."

Selby made it to the final of the recent Premier League with the 25-second shot-clock in operation, but he is looking forward to playing a longer game.

With the UK Championship played in a similar fashion to the Crucible, players get more of a chance to get into the game, according to Selby.

"I think if you'd go and ask all the players, I think they'd all say they prefer the longer format.

"You can get away with having a bad session and still come through the match and win.

"So it gives you more time to get into the game, whereas obviously with a best to nine it's such a short race, you've got to be on your guard from the word go."