Selby claims second world snooker title

England's Mark Selby has won his second world snooker championship after beating China's Ding Junhui 18-14 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

Britain's Mark Selby

England's Mark Selby has won his second world snooker championship after beating China's Ding Junhui (AAP)

England's Mark Selby held his nerve to beat China's Ding Junhui 18-14 and win the world snooker championship for the second time.

World No.1 Selby, champion in 2014, never trailed in the match as he ended Ding's hopes of becoming the first Asian player to win the biggest prize in the sport.

"It is fantastic," Selby said.

"It was very special to win it two years ago, but I felt under a lot more pressure now than I did two years ago.

"It was a tough final and with the amount of pressure Ding is under, from China alone but to play like that. I can't imagine how he could do that."

A native of Leicester, Selby's win came just minutes after the city's football team was clinched the English Premier League title.

Ding, who lost the first six frames, fought back on Sunday to leave Selby 10-7 ahead overnight, and after the Chinese player reduced the deficit to 11-10, Selby rallied to take a 14-11 lead into the final session.

Only three players from outside Britain and Ireland have won the crown, Australians Horace Lindrum in 1952 and Australian Neal Robertson in 2010 and Canadian Cliff Thorburn in 1980.


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Source: AAP



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