World Grand Prix 2020 - Mark Selby edges past Liang Wenbo in first round battle in Milton Keynes

ByEurosport

Updated 16/12/2020 at 17:57 GMT

In a thoroughly entertaining first round clash in the Wednesday afternoon session, former world champion Mark Selby produced some fine snooker against his Chinese opponent, who grew as the match progressed. The Scottish Open champion sealed his place in the second round after a tense deciding frame.

Mark Selby edged past Liang Wenbo 4-3 in a high quality contest to reach the second round of the World Grand Prix.

Selby, who claimed a record-equalling 11th straight win in a ranking event final with a 9-3 triumph against Ronnie O'Sullivan at the Scottish Open last weekend, fought hard to battle past Wenbo in the afternoon session.

Selby capitalised on a Liang error to take the first frame. The world number 29 left a red on for Selby, but the Jester from Leicester missed the frame ball on 63. Instead, he got a snooker behind the blue and Liang left a red which Selby potted to grab the opener.

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Wenbo bounced back strongly, though, with a quick break of 98. He shook his head afterwards, feeling he could have done more. Selby led for the second time with an excellent break of 56 which forced Wenbo to concede.

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Nevertheless Wenbo fought back again. Selby missed a red into the right middle before Liang made an excellent 79 break to level the match. He then went on to take a 3-2 lead with a break of 90.

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Selby forced a deserved decider with a break of 94 and followed up with a terrific 75 to complete what was the match of the tournament so far.

Elsewhere in Milton Keynes, Jack Lisowski has defeated Shaun Murphy 4-2, Jamie Jones was beaten by Zhao Xintongby the same scoreline and Hossein Vafaei edged out Zhou Yuelong 4-3.

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