Selby holds off Ding to win second world snooker title

Omnisports 03:02 - 01 May 2016

___4987691___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___4987691___2016___5___3___3___markselby-cropped_1fqizl2jbt7y21w3invwg2ixja

Mark Selby became just the sixth player to win multiple Crucible titles by beating Ding Junhui for his second World Snooker Championship.

Mark Selby held off a gutsy Ding Junhui fightback to clinch his second World Snooker Championship title with an 18-14 victory at the Crucible on Monday.

Selby had raced into 6-0 lead on Sunday but carried just a three-frame advantage into day two after Ding fought back to 10-7.

The nightmare start that blighted the tournament's first Asian finalist showed no sign of resurfacing as he claimed the opening two frames of the third session to close within one of the 2014 champion.

Selby responded with a break of 126, before Ding, who came through qualifying to reach the Crucible, fired in his 14th century of the tournament to once again close the gap.

After losing the first mini-session 3-1, Selby returned the favour after the interval to restore his three-frame lead heading into the home stretch.

The winning line was in site after Selby potted a difficult black to steal the 27th frame and go 16-11 up, but a Ding recovery, which included his 15th ton, placed any celebrations on hold.

However, world number one Selby stemmed the flow in a hard-fought 31st and clinched his historic win with a 74 break in the last.

Victory for Selby sees him join Stephen Hendry (seven), Steve Davis (six), Ronnie O'Sullivan (five), John Higgins (four) and Mark Williams (two) as a multiple Crucible champion.

Key Frame

Ding outfoxed by Selby