World number one Mark Selby admits he probably should have lost his opening match of the World Grand Prix against Jimmy Robertson. ‘The Jester from Leicester’ was forced to dig deep against world number 34 Robertson as the two players were locked together at 3-3 heading into the deciding frame.
Robertson had the first opportunity to win the decider but he spurned that chance, leaving Selby to rack up a break of 75 and book his place in round two. Selby acknowledged after the match that he thought he was facing an early exit in Preston, particularly when Robertson was at the table during the deciding frame. “I probably should have lost it,” Selby told the World Snooker website. “I didn’t expect Jimmy to miss in the final frame and I thought he was going to win it in that visit. I was just happy to get a chance and when I did get one I managed to capitalise.”
The reigning world champion has endured a difficult season to date as he suffered early exits at the first two Triple Crown events of the campaign. He is now looking to get his game back in order ahead of the defence of his world title in April. Selby added: “Winning breeds confidence and if you aren’t winning then it goes the opposite way and you start doubting yourself, no matter what you have achieved in the past. Sometimes you start questioning yourself and go back to the practice table.”
Selby will face another Robertson in round two of the World Grand Prix on Thursday as he will take on Australia’s Neil for a place in the quarter-finals. He is priced at 4/5 to win while his opponent is available at 20/21.