Wembley helps Selby thrive

Selby: Second Masters title

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Mark Selby was unable to put his finger on why he has such a great record at Wembley following his second Masters triumph in three years.

The Leicester potter has lost only once in three years in the event - last year's final against Ronnie O'Sullivan - but he exacted revenge on Sunday night with a 10-9 victory over the world number two.

Selby, who had struggled for form in the second half of last year, fought back from 9-6 down to lift the famous trophy once more, and admitted it was all the sweeter coming against O'Sullivan.

"I went into the final frame probably more confident than Ronnie was because of the deciding frames I've won here," he said. "You are looking for one chance, then if you don't win it you can't moan.

Scrap

"I'd rather it not go to the final frame but who cares? It was the best match I've been involved in. Ronnie sets the standard. The standard of the match was good in parts and the atmosphere was great, especially against Ronnie in London was a dream come true.

"I was just thinking 'dig in and take one frame at a time'. In this game a run of the ball here and there can change the match. I thought if I have to scrap it out I have to scrap it out.

"I don't know what it is. With the one-table situation every time you come out here it is like a final. I love the atmosphere and seem to thrive on it."

O'Sullivan missed a tricky green when he was 9-7 up but had no regrets.

"You have to take you chances when you get them," he said.

"That wasn't an easy shot but sometimes you have to take the game by the scruff of the neck.

"Sometimes they go in sometimes they don't. It's one of those things."

However, O'Sullivan dismissed Selby's credentials for the World Championship glory later this year, as well as his own.

Relentless

"As far as winning world titles, that is mission impossible for me," he said. "I'm too hot and cold to go in with any confidence in doing it.

"I don't think Selby has the game either to win a world title because of the same reasons. That is why it is tough, you are up against players that have that relentlessness."

But O'Sullivan refuses to be down on himself these days despite failing to fulfil his enormous potential.

"The hot and cold snooker did and does make me depressed. I felt myself getting sucked in during the final but said 'don't go there, you've had a good week'. I don't have those expectations anymore.

"It's sad for me because if I was able to put my finger on it and get it right I would smash all these players up - I would demolish a lot of them.

"For me to win three world titles is a miracle in itself. I didn't think I'd win one because over 17 days it requires you not to have bad spells."