Mark Selby crushes Barry Hawkins in final to retain China Open

Mark Selby, last year's champion, defeated Kyren Wison in the semi-finals, winning 10-8.

That set up a final with Barry Hawkins, and Selby wasted little time in dominating the final with breaks of 65, 53, 90, 75, 112, 83 and 132.

It is the perfect warm-up for the defence of his world title in Sheffield later this month where he will chase a fourth success in five years at the game's biggest tournament.

“I played good matchplay snooker in the first session and capitalised on the balls that Barry missed,” said Selby.

“Then I scored well in the second session. I have felt good all week, as if my game was coming back. It’s very satisfying to be able to go out there knowing my game is in good shape. Coming here I didn’t know what to expect, but it couldn’t have gone any better.

“In the early part of my career I got to a lot of ranking finals and lost. I doubted myself for a while. Since then it has been hard work, dedication and practice, I started winning them and gained more belief.

“The way I have performed in most of my matches here, playing well and scoring well, my confidence will be high going to Sheffield.”

Despite Hawkins winning the first frame, Selby raced into an 8-2 lead.

With the final the best-of-21 frames, Selby needed just three more frames to claim victory in the second session.

Hawkins - who made a high break of only 75 - added one more frame in the second session, but was unable to spark what would have been a remarkable comeback.

Selby's second ranking tournament of the season gives him a £225,000 prize, and it is the third time Selby has claimed the title.