2016 World Championship discussion

[Tim65]

Selby won the match by 4 frames, not 1, so it was a reasonably convincing margin. Anyway, luck has always been one of the staple arguments of "Why Selby Wins" by the haters. In 2011 there were certain prolific posters on these boards who were of the opinion that Selby is the worst No1 in history, a fluke No1, and just filling in briefly prior to Trump's imminent Hendryesque style dominance. Funnily enough, Selby has finished every season since at No1, and won two World Championsips, but some of these clowns still think it's down to his superior luck. I suppose little has changed really.

I never said Selby won by one frame.Nor do I hate Selby.And Im not a clown.

[JimMalone]

Agreed.I actually like the tactical stuff & its amazing how he can impose his will on a match.He reminds me very much of Ray Reardon.I still think he had a good run of the ball in the final but maybe you make your own luck.Its a fact that the highest ranked opponent he had was no14 seed Marco Fu so he did have an easy draw.

I agree he had a fairly easy draw. The only player before him to win the world title by beating only one seed was Neil Robertson in 2010 I think. But you could argue that Ding is a stronger player than most of the seeds of this world championship.

[Le Ball Sack]

Its not just a few of us that has a problem with Selbys game. Even Davis alluded to the fact some people i.e. players hates the way he plays. In fact Hendry seems to hate the guy.

[Tim65]

I agree he had a fairly easy draw. The only player before him to win the world title by beating only one seed was Neil Robertson in 2010 I think. But you could argue that Ding is a stronger player than most of the seeds of this world championship.

Fair point.

[The Rook]

I never said Selby won by one frame.Nor do I hate Selby.And Im not a clown.

I didn't say that you hated Selby, or that you were a clown. I did say that the luck argument has been used and reused many times on this forum against Selby for more than 5 years. It's tiresome, pathetic, and if anyone still truly believes it then I think to call them a clown would be quite kind (and I'm not referring to you).

[JimMalone]

On a side-note this result of the World Championship means Mark Selby will finish the season as World Number #1 for the fifth time. A feat that so far only Stephen Hendry (9 times), Steve Davis (7 times), Ray Reardon (6 times) and Ronnie O'Sullivan (5 times as well) achieved.

[Tufbo]

BBC reports Selby is "over the moon"
My GF upon seeing him winning: "I look 10 times happier when I wake up 5 minutes before the alarm"

[The Rook]

On a side-note this result of the World Championship means Mark Selby will finish the season as World Number #1 for the fifth time. A feat that so far only Stephen Hendry (9 times), Steve Davis (7 times), Ray Reardon (6 times) and Ronnie O'Sullivan (5 times as well) achieved.

Very impressive feat really. Even O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams haven't managed to stay at the top with that level of consistency.

[liquid_symphony]

Very impressive feat really. Even O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams haven't managed to stay at the top with that level of consistency.

Yep , buy only à few tournaments ay the time , and ranking only based on points , not money earned even in invitational évents .....

[richo]

I have been accused of being negative on Selby, and true I don't really like his style of play, But, he fully deserved to win the final. His mental strength and tactical mastery are clear to see and in those departments he is stronger than anybody else on tour, including O'Sullivan. Going back 10-20 years, I think only Hendry or Higgins at his best would be able to match him mentally and tactically. So I say well done to Selby.

[jb134]

Anyone who hates the way Selby plays, does not understand the game. He has a mind like a steel trap, his execution is magnificent and unlike other so called "better to watch" players he has the will to win and intellect not to try to play his top game when it isn't there.

He has just won two WCs in three years and the Internet opinion brigade want to slaughter him. People who sat in their houses and watched him while he was earning another few hundred grand.

[Guy3103]

I don't know how you can spend 17 days playing... years and years practicing and then have such a reaction after winning what is supposed to be the biggest one of them all. There was so little emotion and so little heart in this final that I find it sad and embarrassing to world snooker.

[gavpowell]

I don't know how you can spend 17 days playing... years and years practicing and then have such a reaction after winning what is supposed to be the biggest one of them all. There was so little emotion and so little heart in this final that I find it sad and embarrassing to world snooker.

Hendry always said he never got much joy out of his finals because it was just relief it was over and then time to start the process again. But I agree, whatever Selby's personal problems are, they appear to be pretty serious judging by his appearance throughout the tournament. I hope it's something he can resolve, because he's led a life like a character from Russian literature!

[sixofclubs]

Mark Selby at the end just looked a combination of exhausted, relieved, slightly embarrassed and actually a little shy. I did think it was a lukewarm reaction to seeing Vicky and his daughter, which I thought was a little concerning, but put any one of us in that situation and I'm not sure we'd be 100 percent relaxed and lucid. It can't be easy being thrust into that situation even if you know it's coming - he's a professional snooker player, not a media savvy public speaker.

The style of play and long frames did make for a difficult watch but Selby just plays the cards he's dealt and to be frank he does it better than anyone else. Commiserations to Ding. Now he's reached a final, I do think he will go on to win the World Championship one day.

[ADR147]

Look I backed Ding at 5/1 when he was 6-0 down and from a business point of view Ding would be better for me by miles, but Selby was the best player over the piece, and i will be the first to say well done fella you earned it.