World Snooker Championship

Selby survives Maflin test

It hits the jaw and drops for the Jester

Mark Selby kept his hope of being the first man breaking the "Crucible Curse" as never a first time winner has defended his crown in the following year at the Crucible.

Firstly, I expected it being a very emotional match, both players with a lot to play for, but I had a good surprise as the standard was very high, although Selby wasn't looking in trouble as he opened an 8(19)4 lead against the Norwegian with Top Breaks of 108 and a total clearance of 124.

But Maflin, far from looking frozen at the Crucible aurea, played 5 straight frames and built a 9-8 lead just one away from defeating Reigning Champion on his debut.

But Selby, known by being a comeback master, won a tense 18th frame and took the best of an under-pressure mistake from Maflin in an easy red in the decider and furiously punched the air after potting frame ball.

McGill avoided suffering another "debut agonizingly defeat" as he beat Stephen Maguire 10-9 after being 9-5 up and making a 122 Break in the Decider.

It has to be one Champion

The debutant becomes the first player to make a century in a decider at the Crucible since 1996 and only third in history! 

Selby will face Anthony in the Last 16 (which is best of 25 frames).

Marco Fu had a tough test against Jimmy Robertson, but experience prevailed in the end as the Hong Kong's won the clash 10-6 and will now face John Higgins who beat Robert Milkins 10-5 with a century in the last frame.

Former Champion Graeme Dott played a very high standard mach against 2013 Semi-Finalist in which Walden did two centuries, an 135 Total Clearance and an 104 (147 attempt) but couldn't finish it against Dott, who won 3 frames on the bounce from 6-7 down later winning 10-8.

Meanwhile Neil Robertson compiled a Total Clearance of 145 on his match against Welshman Jamie Jones, building a 7-2 lead for the second session. 

Finalist here a couple of years ago, Hawkins played very good Snooker against Matthew Selt after sharing first four frames and also have a 7-2 lead for Monday.

Check Draw here - Check times here

It's been a very high standard World Championship so far, quite a few total clearances and still many to play for the first Round yet.

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Ronnie O`Sullivan starts his campaign facing debutant Craig Steadman, match is on BBC on Tuesday (21) at 14:30 and Wednesday (22) at 10:00. B