The 2022 English Open was the final snooker rating occasion of 2022. It was performed in Brentwood, Essex, from 12 to 18 December 2022. Though Essex has been a hotbed for snooker for many years, this was truly the primary rating occasion ever performed within the space.
Neil Robertson was the defending champion and made a superb job of it, reaching the semi-finals, the place he misplaced to the eventual Champion.
Mark Selby gained the occasion, beating Luca Brecel by 9-6 within the Closing.
This was an important win for Mark whose final title earlier than this one was already greater than a yr and a half outdated. It was additionally a really emotional win for a person who had been battling psychological well being points for years and had been very open about his struggles over the current years.
Selby Ends Barren Streak With English Title
Mark Selby gained his first silverware in 19 months as he pulled away from 4-4 to beat Luca Brecel 9-6 within the ultimate of the BetVictor English Open in Brentwood.
A tearful Selby described his victory as his “largest achievement.” In January he revealed he was dealing with a long-term battle with psychological well being, a problem he admits he might by no means totally overcome. He’s studying to understand snooker as a recreation to take pleasure in regardless of the consequence, slightly than permitting defeats to devastate him. This success, and the possibility to elevate the trophy alongside spouse Vikki and daughter Sofia, will convey the 39-year-old immense satisfaction.
Selby’s final title got here on the Crucible in Could 2021 when he gained the World Championship for the fourth time, so tonight’s triumph is a welcome decision to a protracted spell the place his kind and confidence have wavered. It’s the twenty first rating title of his profession and he holds the Steve Davis Trophy for a second time having gained the occasion in 2019.
The £80,000 prime prize lifts the Leicester cueman from third to second within the official world rankings and from twenty first to fifth on the one-year listing. He’s additionally as much as second within the BetVictor Collection rankings, simply £3,000 behind chief Mark Allen, with solely three occasions to go till the £150,000 bonus is awarded.
Beating Neil Robertson within the semi-finals on Saturday, ending a sequence of seven consecutive defeats in opposition to the identical participant, was a big breakthrough when it comes to self-belief, and he confirmed his trademark coolness below strain tonight in a tense conclusion.
Brecel battled again bravely from 4-1 all the way down to 4-4, however made too many errors within the night session, and likewise had the frustration of lacking the possibility of a 147 in body 14. The 27-year-old Belgian, who has now misplaced half of his six rating finals, banks £35,000 and climbs one place to tenth on the planet.
Selby has gained 5 of his seven conferences with Brecel
After ending the opening session tied at 4-4, Selby took the primary body this night with a wonderful 51 clearance, and the Englishman went on to make a 61 within the subsequent to guide 6-4. Brecel replied with a 122, the best break of the match.
The important thing second of the pivotal twelfth body got here when Brecel, trailing 36-45, failed to realize prime place on the final crimson, then missed a skinny minimize to a prime nook. Selby took benefit with a cool clearance to go 7-5 forward on the interval. Body 13 got here all the way down to the final crimson and Selby trapped his opponent in a tough snooker, and from the possibility that adopted he went three up with 4 to play.
Brecel’s 147 try in body 14 reached 113 earlier than he over-cut a tough pot on the fifteenth black. And when he missed a tough lengthy crimson firstly of the following body, it proved his final shot as Selby sealed the consequence with an outstanding 87.
“It has been a very long time coming,” stated Selby, who has now gained 21 of his 31 rating finals. “I used to be disenchanted to complete the primary session 4-4, I used to be most likely the higher participant however credit score to Luca as a result of he dug in from 4-1 down.
“This implies every little thing to me, it’s my largest achievement for positive. I do know I’ve gained 4 world titles and a whole lot of different tournaments, however I’ve been to the properly and again during the last yr, it was been emotionally and bodily draining. So it’s a particular one at the moment. On the finish, after I had potted match ball, I noticed Vikki and I used to be welling up. Within the interviews on the finish, I struggled to get my phrases out. It exhibits how robust it has been. If I had misplaced I’d have been gutted, however nonetheless felt I’ve come a great distance.
“The crowds this week have been unbelievable, I stated that to Luca earlier than the ultimate. They recognize good pictures. I hope we come again right here to Brentwood subsequent yr.
“This doesn’t give me a proper to win anything, it may very well be one other 19 months, nevertheless it provides me confidence. I can look ahead to going to the Masters now. Final time there it wasn’t very good, this time I’ll go together with a smile on my face.”
