January 14th 2025.
Mark Selby put on a spectacular performance on Monday at the Masters, defeating Ali Carter with a score of 6-1. Even his long-time rival Ronnie O'Sullivan couldn't help but be impressed by Selby's play. With breaks of 62, 108, 93, 126, and 53, the four-time world champion secured his spot in the quarter-finals, where he will face either Mark Allen or Si Jiahui.
Selby, also known as the Jester from Leicester, had a bit of a quiet spell after winning the British Open in September. However, he bounced back last week by winning a Championship League group and proving that he is back in top form.
O'Sullivan, who was watching the match from the Eurosport studio after pulling out of the Masters, praised Selby's performance, saying it was the best he had seen in years. "I don't think I've seen Mark play this well for six or seven years maybe," he said. "He looks really, really sharp, his safety is always great and he's scoring really well. You look at the reaction he's getting out of the cue ball, he's got all the shots at the moment."
The Rocket also noted that it would take a player of Judd Trump's caliber to put Selby under pressure. "But you don't half have to play some serious snooker to do that," he added.
O'Sullivan mentioned that Selby may have been slightly below his best in recent seasons, but even then, he remains a top player. However, the form he showed against Carter was almost unbeatable. "When Mark plays like that it's kind of impossible to play," O'Sullivan stated.
He went on to compare Selby to snooker legends Ray Reardon and Steve Davis, saying that he has the same style of play as Reardon and possesses all the qualities of the ultimate player. "With Davis and Reardon as all-time greats, you'd put him in the same bracket," O'Sullivan remarked.
Selby himself was modest about his performance, saying, "I played some good stuff." He also mentioned that he had been practicing and playing well in the Championship League, and it was nice to continue that form into the Masters.
During their conversation, O'Sullivan and Selby also touched on the mental struggles that snooker players face. O'Sullivan had pulled out of the Masters, citing pressure as the reason for his decision. Selby has also been open about his own mental health struggles and admitted that he should have withdrawn from last year's World Championship when he was feeling low.
Both players agreed that more support is needed for players' mental well-being. O'Sullivan suggested that there should be someone available at all tournaments for players to talk to, in case they are struggling. "I think World Snooker should have someone at a tournament employed for if someone is struggling, come off the table and needs to have 10 minutes with someone," he said.
Selby added, "There'll be a lot of players who are suffering who don't want to speak out or are scared to speak out. But if they've got someone like that where they can go off in the corner and speak to them one-on-one, they'd be more comfortable doing that."
In conclusion, Selby's incredible performance at the Masters has not only earned him a spot in the quarter-finals but has also solidified his place among the all-time greats in snooker. The mental challenges that players face in this sport are not to be underestimated, and it is crucial to have support and resources available for those who need it.
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