Mark Selby is on course to claim the China Open title as he needs just three frames to overcome Barry Hawkins after taking the first session 8-2. Hawkins produced an exceptional performance to down Neil Robertson in his semi final match on Saturday but he has struggled against the world number one in Beijing. ‘The Hawk’ made a bright start and had a chance to take an early 2-0 lead but instead it was Selby who seized the advantage as he moved 3-1 ahead.
Selby then won five of the next six frames to secure a commanding 8-2 lead, leaving Hawkins needing nine frames in the second session if he is to mount what would be one of the most incredible comebacks in a ranking event final. Hawkins is 20/1 to win the match or 150/1 to win 11-9. If ‘The Jester From Leicester’ does manage to claim the trophy he will become the first player to successfully defend the title since the tournament returned to Beijing 13 years ago. The three-time world champion is seeking a second title in Asia this season after winning the International Championship earlier in the campaign. Hawkins did have his chances but the form he displayed against Robertson deserted him on Sunday.
The 38-year-old missed five key pots and all proved damaging as he went on to lose all five of those frames. Selby failed to fully capitalise on a Hawkins miss in the session’s final frame but kept his composure and finished with a break of 43, taking the frame 72-6. Selby is 10/3 to win the next three frames when play resumes and claim an 11-2 victory or 5/1 to prevail 11-5.