Selby looking to build

Masters champion hoping for form to continue at Welsh Open

Last updated: 24th January 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Selby looking to build

Selby: Masters champion

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Mark Selby says that his Masters success will lose some of its gloss if he fails to take his fine form into this week's Welsh Open.

Selby claimed his second Masters title in three y ears when he came storming back from 9-6 down to defeat Ronnie O'Sullivan 10-9 at Wembley Arena last week.

Leicester potter Selby showed his very best form at Wembley to beat world number one O'Sullivan, but he insists he is not getting carried away by his latest success.

The 26-year-old quickly has to get his focus back for the Welsh Open in Newport, which starts on Monday, and where ranking points are once again up for grabs.

Selby plays Judd Trump on Wednesday in the first round and knows that defeat would take the shine off his Masters triumph.

First round

"If I lose in the first round in Wales, the Masters will suddenly seem a long way away," said Selby. "It was fantastic to win at Wembley, but it wasn't a ranking event, so I've got to capitalise on my good form now and put some ranking points on the board.

"Last Sunday I didn't celebrate much, I just had a couple of drinks. I had the day off on Monday then I was back on the practice table on Tuesday morning.

"The standard is so high now that you are bound to have a tough opening match. Look at Ding Junhui - he won the UK Championship and must have been full of confidence, then in the Masters he drew me in the first round. So I don't want to be going to Wales cold. "

The world number seven has not had any time to take in his remarkable Master win, which continued his brilliant form at Wembley with two wins and a final appearance in his only three visits.

"Winning the Masters has not really sunk in yet," he added. "Even though I've got the trophy on my mantelpiece at home and I'm getting (girlfriend) Vicky to polish it every day!

"When I get to Wales and speak to some of the other players about the final, then it will sink in more."

The last time Selby entered the Welsh Open as Masters champion he won the trophy in Newport, beating O'Sullivan 9-8 in the final, and he is hoping lightning will strike twice this year.

"I'd just won the Masters at the time, so hopefully that's a good omen for me," said Selby. "I've always enjoyed playing at the Newport Centre, going back to when we used to have the qualifiers there."