Scott Donaldson insists he is not afraid to take on anyone as he prepares to face Mark Selby in round two of the UK Championship. Donaldson booked his spot in the second round of the Barbican showpiece by taking down John Astley 6-2 but things are about to get a lot tougher when he squares off with the word number one. Selby was a 6-2 winner over Egypt’s Basem Eltahhan and is a 1/10 favourite to make it to round three in York.
Donaldson is on offer at 11/2 but is not without hope as he pushed the three-time world champion when they met in the English Open back in October and only went down by the odd frame in seven. The 23-year-old Scot also beat the ‘Jester From Leicester’ when they met back in 2015 and made it clear he will not take a backward step against any opponent. “I’m not afraid of any player on the tour,” he said. “I know I’m good enough to compete with anyone and you have a chance against every player when you’re in the balls and they’re sitting down.” Selby, who is priced at 9/2 to win the event behind tournament favourite Ronnie O’Sullivan (11/4), is the defending champion having beaten ‘The Rocket’ 10-7 in last year’s final, while he also claimed the title back in 2012 with victory over Shaun Murphy.
The TV cameras will be on Donaldson as he faces Selby but even that added pressure will not faze the youngster. “It probably would have bothered me a few years ago being on a TV table at a big tournament but not anymore,” he added. “There will be no excuses if I do lose. I like having the eyes on me when I play, so I’m looking forward to it.”
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