World Snooker Championship - 'Out of order' - Stuart Bingham unhappy with Mark Selby 'gamesmanship'
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Updated 02/05/2021 at 14:46 GMT
Three-time world champion Mark Selby got the better of fellow former Crucible victor Stuart Bingham in their five-session semi-final on Saturday night with a 17-15 win but his opponent was left less than happy with some aspects of the match. Bingham felt that some of Selby's play came down to "gamesmanship" and he was not impressed.
Bingham frustrated with Selby 'gamesmanship' in Crucible semi-final
Stuart Bingham has said that some of the play from Mark Selby during their marathon World Snooker Championship semi-final amounted to "gamesmanship".
Selby reached the final at the Crucible as he won 17-15 in a marathon semi-final that required five sessions and more than 11 hours to complete.
While Selby is renowned for his less-than-speedy play and penchant for extended tactical battles, Bingham at times appeared to embrace the nature of the contest.
However, by the end of the fifth and final session of the seemingly interminable clash, the 2015 world champion appeared to be totally fed up with what had unfolded.
"It was maybe on the brink of a bit of gamesmanship," Bingham told Eurosport after the defeat when asked if Selby's play had got to him.
"Some of the shots, three minutes, then just trickle into the reds. It's probably [too much]. I think everyone wanted to get out of there [when Selby played on requiring multiple snookers].
"It is what it is. Last night, I didn't mind and I was playing with a smile on my face. Today, it just didn't seem to happen for me."
Asked if Selby's theatrical reaction to getting away with a wild fluke earlier in the day provoked a reaction in him, Bingham felt like it did.
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Selby can't believe his luck with 'spectacular' fluke against Bingham
Obviously I had a bit of a run [of luck] yesterday and I put my hand up. The antics he did after that were a bit out of order, but it is what it is.
"People don't see their own luck. He has had so many nice nudges in that match and it is one of those things. But I had my chances and that's all you can want, and I didn't take them."
Bingham later added to Eurosport, "that's Selby, that's what he is known for", in reference to his semi-final opponent's slow play, before going on to say he was also not a fan of him celebrating before completing a crucial frame.
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Bingham has 'lost a bit of respect' for Selby after semi-final play
"I don't know if it's a bit of gamesmanship or what, but he obviously did a number and slowed me down. You look back at things like that, and he's had to do that to beat me.
You learn about yourself and you learn about your opponent. I thought we had a bit more respect for each other, and to celebrate before he had potted game ball, I've maybe lost a bit of respect for him.
"I wouldn't do that, so I suppose I don't expect other people to do it. For me it's obviously put a bit of a sour taste on the match."
Selby will next take on Shaun Murphy after he sealed his path through to the final at the Crucible with a 17-12 win over Kyren Wilson.
Wilson was also less than happy after his match and admitted that he found Murphy's theatrics to be a bit excessive for his liking.
"It takes a lot to intimidate me," Wilson told Eurosport, when asked about Murphy's animated celebrations.
I didn't find it intimidating, I just found it a little bit over the top and a bit theatrical.
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'He's a theatre guy' - Wilson reacts to defeat to animated Murphy
"But, you know, Shaun is a bit of a theatre guy, if you like, and we're in the Crucible Theatre, so fair play to him.
"He's got to do what he's got to do to win. I'll keep fighting until the end and I'll be back next year."
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