British Open snooker recap – Judd Trump joins 1,000 century club but loses to Mark Allen in last eight, Mark Selby next

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Welcome to our live coverage of the 2024 British Open as we reach the quarter-final stage. Mark Selby held off Dave Gilbert with a 5-4 win while John Higgins eased to a 5-1 win against Elliot Slessor on the other showpiece table. The evening session saw Mark Allen defeat Judd Trump 5-3 as well as Jak Jones facing Oliver Lines. Follow it all with us here.

1,000 centuries! Higgins gets standing ovation for 'tremendous achievement'

Video credit: TNT Sports

THANKS FOR JOINING US

We will be back at 12:45pm on Saturday with John Higgins facing Jak Jones or Oliver Lines at the Centaur before Mark Selby and Mark Allen lock cues at 7pm in Cheltenham.

"I don't make things easy for myself. I could have won 5-1 or 5-2," said Allen. "Any win over Judd is good, but I feel there is room for improvement."

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British Open final LIVE - Selby takes on Higgins in final showdown

29/09/2024 at 22:33

BRITISH OPEN SEMI-FINAL DRAW

John Higgins v Jak Jones or Oliver Lines 1pm

Mark Selby v Mark Allen 7pm

Today's schedule

Quarter-finals

1300

David Gilbert 4-5 Mark Selby
Elliot Slessor 1-5 John Higgins

1900

Judd Trump 3-5 Mark Allen
Jak Jones 4-3 Oliver Lines

TRUMP 3-4 ALLEN (0-72)

In goes a red with extended rest. Trump slams white into reds, and has seen enough. A 5-3 win for Allen, who will face Mark Selby in the semi-finals on Saturday night.

TRUMP 3-4 ALLEN (0-71)

Allen carts in long red and the blue to surely see out this match. 71 clear with a possible 67 remaining.

TRUMP 3-4 ALLEN (0-65)

Blunder by Trump with the safety and that looks like the final act of the match until Allen loses the white attempting to land on a red from pink. That is astonishing. Another seven added before another safety is delivered.

TRUMP 3-4 ALLEN (0-58)

A 50 break from the Antrim man, but can't get the reds open. Just the safety to follow. Trying to nurse home this victory.

TRUMP 3-4 ALLEN (0-53)

Allen trying to put this match to bed as he slams in black to pass the 50-mark in the frame.

TRUMP 3-4 ALLEN (0-36)

Is this going to be the winning thrust from Allen? Still needs to disturb the pack at some point, but heading in the right direction here.

TRUMP 3-4 ALLEN (0-9)

Trump goes for a speculative double on a red. Doesn't drop, but leaves a red in the middle of the pack for Allen to slot to right centre. Judd shaking his head, but Allen can only make eight. His scoring game has completely deserted him at the moment. Trump then misses cut on a red. All very tense.

JONES 3-3 LINES

All tightening up on the other table too with Lines levelling up against Jones.

TRUMP 2-4 ALLEN (58-44)

Trump short of pace from blue to pink, but steadies himself to nudge in pink to left middle. Fine pot, and this match continues. Allen leads 4-3.

TRUMP 2-4 ALLEN (38-44)

Would you believe it? Trump misses a green off spot after doing the hard part. Looked a certain run to the line, but green stays out at pace. Then Allen wobbles a yellow to the same pocket and it stays on deck. On the cusp of victory, but spurns a huge chance.

TRUMP 2-4 ALLEN (24-37)

Judd getting all the reds cracked open off blue. A very aggressive pot follows on green to continue break. Decent kiss on a pink from slipping in long red. And Judd could be right in business here for another frame.

TRUMP 2-4 ALLEN (6-37)

28 break from Allen, but he finally breaks down on 28 as a tough blue to right middle eludes him. Judd getting plenty of vocal support.

TRUMP 2-4 ALLEN (0-30)

Decent positional shot to drop blue in and take white in and out of baulk to land on the solitary red at that end of table. Powers it into a top bag to continue contribution.

TRUMP 2-4 ALLEN (0-15)

Aggressive safety by Allen leaves Trump in a spot of bother here. Doesn't hit a red coming off two cushions. And suddenly chance presemts itself to win frame and match. How far will get here with this break?

TRUMP 1-4 ALLEN (92-12)

A double on the final red doesn't drop, but a 92 break is good enough for Judd to claw his way back to 4-2 in race to five.

TRUMP 1-4 ALLEN (84-12)

What you would expect from the world No. 1 in full flow. Chance of a second century of the evening too.

TRUMP 1-4 ALLEN (54-12)

Allen had first go at this table, but lost position and looks like it is going to cost him. Judd looking good to cut the deficit to 4-2 in one hit.

TRUMP 1-4 ALLEN (14-12)

Cracking plant on reds by Judd to boost his prospects. Trying to fire himself up for a comeback. Can he keep tight control of the white?

JONES 3-2 LINES

Jak Jones trailed 2-0 to Oli Lines but a run of 68 in the fifth frame gives him the lead after Lines produced 52.

TRUMP 1-4 ALLEN (0-12)

Trump has gone right off the boil. Long game not working as he butchers his latest attempt at a long red. Over 20 minutes since his last pot. Allen then with chance to build a lead in frame he requires for victory, but he is quickly out of position on only 12.

TRUMP 1-4 ALLEN (0-0)

Judd breaks off for what he hopes won't be his last frame of the match, but he can't afford to ship another frame. Otherwise it will be farewell to Cheltenham.

TRUMP 1-3 ALLEN (24-104)

Allen prods in a long red followed by brown. Surely that will be a done deal for this frame. Three snookers required. In goes the final red by the Antrim man. A few exhibition shots to finish the break. And Allen 4-1 to the good.

TRUMP 1-3 ALLEN (24-64)

Super recovery pot on blue to green pocket to continue break. Not much more needed. A blue and a red required. 64 before red stays out. 40 the difference with 43 still available.

TRUMP 1-3 ALLEN (24-45)

Into the lead then in the frame. The thing about snooker, is that it leaves you plenty of room for regret. And Trump can only sit down and wonder what might have been. Allen heading for a 4-1 lead.

TRUMP 1-3 ALLEN (24-8)

And there we have it. Trump can't rattle home a long red from distance, and leaves Allen in. The Northern Irishman can sense the wind is blowing in his direction, you suspect.

TRUMP 1-3 ALLEN (24-0)

Another period of tactical play ensues. Trump can handle this side of the game, but it surely can't be his preference. Allen quite content to go into the trenches.

SNOOKER'S CENTURY KINGS

1. Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng) - 1265
2. John Higgins (Sco) - 1002
3. Judd Trump (Eng) - 1000
4. Neil Robertson (Aus) - 951
5. Mark Selby (Eng) - 839

TRUMP 1-3 ALLEN (24-0)

Off we go then with the fifth frame of a possible nine in this quarter-final. Judd looking to make a fast start in the second half of the match as he crashes home a long red right away. Trump looking to score quickly surely. Doesn't want to get sucked into exacting tactical play. But forced to declare on 24.

Today's schedule

Quarter-finals

1300

David Gilbert 4-5 Mark Selby
Elliot Slessor 1-5 John Higgins

1900

Judd Trump 1-3 Mark Allen
Jak Jones 2-2 Oliver Lines

JONES 2-2 LINES

All square on the other main showpiece table. Winner of that quarter-final will face John Higgins in the first semi-final on Saturday afternoon.

TRUMP 1-2 ALLEN (8-77)

Not vintage play from either man, but Mark Allen is in command. 37 to conclude the fourth frame for a 3-1 lead.

TRUMP 1-2 ALLEN (8-49)

Judd tries to force a pink into left middle. But pink comes back out from far jaw. Relief for Allen as he returns to the table.

TRUMP 1-2 ALLEN (7-40)

Another chance presents itself to Allen. Powers in blue before running white around angles, but he jabs at a red with the rest. Golden chance not taken as Trump returns looking to level this match up.

TRUMP 1-2 ALLEN (1-30)

How quickly the mood of a snooker match can change. Judd looked destined to lead 2-1, but missed frame-ball red and Allen is suddenly seeking out a 3-1 lead. But he runs out of position, and opts to run the white safe.

TRUMP 1-2 ALLEN (1-16)

Allen warming to the task here as he drains a long red after Judd tries and fails to roll behind green ball. Mark is a tenacious competitor.

TRUMP 1-2 ALLEN (1-0)

Allen pondering a shot from baulk for over a minute before he comes off a top cushion, and clips back of red. Chance for Judd, but he can't land on a colour dropping in red to green pocket.

TRUMP JOINS 1,000 CENTURY CLUB

TRUMP 1-1 ALLEN (63-69)

A huge steal for Allen after Trump missed the final red. In went the double on a red in baulk and on went the man they called 'The Pistol'. Making a statement there. One more frame before the mid-session break.

TRUMP 1-1 ALLEN (63-48)

Allen drops in a double across the table into the green bag. Every chance now to steal this third frame on the colours.

TRUMP 1-1 ALLEN (63-37)

Judd faced with a tricky final red across the table into a blind pocket, but he overcuts the object ball. Played with an element of safety as Allen fails to drop in red from distance.

TRUMP 1-1 ALLEN (37-37)

It is a bit early to predict Allen's demise in this frame, but Judd looks like he means business at this visit. Looks to be hitting the white ball with real authority.

TRUMP 1-1 ALLEN (9-37)

Handy enough lead for Allen, but far from decisive as a tough thin cut on a red fails to drop. What has Judd got in response here?

TRUMP 1-1 ALLEN (1-23)

Allen was also in the opposition seat when John Higgins made his historic 1,000 century at the English Open last week. A lucky charm perhaps? Nice to be part of snooker history. Early chance for Mark to reassert himself in the third frame.

JONES 1-2 LINES

A break of 84 from Jones on the other table to close back to 2-1 behind. One more frame before the mid-session interval.

TRUMP 0-1 ALLEN (101-0)

Superb recovery pot on a red from Judd using the rest before he drops in the pink to right middle. And that is the 1,000th career century for Judd! The third man to achieve the feat behind Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins. Terrific moment. A classy 101 to level at 1-1.

TRUMP 0-1 ALLEN (87-0)

Every chance to make his 1,000 career century. Black drops in. He holds for the red. Every chance to get the job done here. A 48-minute first frame followed by a rapid run to the line.

TRUMP 0-1 ALLEN (62-0)

Judd really picking up the pace in this frame. Looks like a rapid response from the Juddernaut. Piling through these balls. Chance of the historic ton too.

TRUMP 0-1 ALLEN (41-0)

Can Judd see out this frame, and possibly bring up the 1,000 century? Looks like a half decent chance to score a few points here.

TRUMP 0-1 ALLEN (24-0)

Allen quite clearly trying to grind down the pace of this match against an opponent who can blitz opponents in full flow. Chance early on in second frame for Judd to work the cue ball. Arcs white into reds, and he is on the move here.

TRUMP 0-0 ALLEN (50-64)

But it is Allen who sees his patience pay off as a mistake by Trump leaves green after slotting yellow. Mark slides in green, brown and blue. And finally a marathon first frame is complete. Allen with the lead. One for the purists.

TRUMP 0-0 ALLEN (50-50)

So many balls being refused, and half-chances missed too. Still on the yellow. 26 minutes since last ball was potted.

TRUMP 0-0 ALLEN (50-50)

Allen gets Trump to cough up four points from a well laid snooker, but nothing else doing as Judd escapes from his hardship. Both men looking for baulk colours and blue in a frame running for 40 minutes.

JONES 0-2 LINES

A knock of 55 in the second frame from Oli Lines to go with the earlier 102, and he leads Jones 2-0 on the other main table.

TRUMP 0-0 ALLEN (50-46)

A huge amount of safety play being exchanged between the two men. Allen refusing a pot on a yellow to a top bag, but jaws a long yellow to green bag second later. Frame running for over 30 minutes.

TRUMP 0-0 ALLEN (50-46)

Excellent shot by Allen to leave Trump in a snooker. Judd escapes, but can't leave yellow safe. Allen then misses a tricky cut on yellow to left centre. All getting very tense in opening frame.

TRUMP 0-0 ALLEN (50-46)

Judd is suddenly down to the final two reds. Slams in a fine mid-range red. Not ideally on black for the final red. But manages to dead weight the black in. In goes a fine final red. And that could be a frame-winner for Judd. But it is only 46 as he gets no pace off black to get up for yellow. And yellow doesn't drop. Safety duel on colours.

JONES 0-1 LINES

A terrific opening break of 102 from Oli Lines to get his nose in front against Crucible finalist Jak Jones.

TRUMP 0-0 ALLEN (12-46)

Trump slides in a superb red along top cush. Out on the black, and suddenly there is a real chance of the counter punch from Judd.

TRUMP 0-0 ALLEN (4-46)

Allen comes up with a plant on three reds. What a superb shot that is. Had to be made. Might well be the key to this opening frame. On the black, and chance to progress this break. But he misses a red to right middle. Didn't expect that to stay out.

TRUMP 0-0 ALLEN (4-15)

A fine long red by Allen is punched into the pocket, and he comes back out for the pink. Judd short with a safety attempt back to baulk, and the Northern Irish player can get hand on table here.

TRUMP 0-0 ALLEN (4-0)

Allen with a very aggressive safety shot early on. Opening up plenty of reds, but is short with a safety shot seconds later and Judd laces home a lovely mid-range red to get started. But he is quickly out of position after canning a red. So just the safety to follow.

TRUMP 0-0 ALLEN (0-0)

A packed house inside the Centaur in Cheltenham for this quarter-final meeting. First player to five frames will reach the last four. Draw was made before this match. The winner of this will take on Selby in the semi-finals. Higgins to meet Jak Jones or Oli Lines.

BRITISH OPEN SEMI-FINAL DRAW

John Higgins v Jak Jones or Oliver Lines 1pm

Mark Selby v Mark Allen 7pm

Today's schedule

Quarter-finals

1300

David Gilbert 4-5 Mark Selby
Elliot Slessor 1-5 John Higgins

1900

Judd Trump v Mark Allen
Jak Jones v Oliver Lines

THANKS FOR JOINING US

We will be back just before 7pm when Judd Trump takes on Mark Allen in the last eight as Jak Jones and Oliver Lines bid to advance.

RESULT: SELBY 5-4 GILBERT

"I would have been gutted if I had lost from 4-1 up, but I stood up to it when I had my chance," said Selby, who also reacted to the death of iconic snooker commentator and journalist Clive Everton.

"It is a very sad day for snooker. He was like the David Attenborough of snooker, the voice of snooker. It used to be Ted Lowe, and for my era it was Clive Everton."

RESULT: SELBY 5-4 GILBERT

Dave plays one more shot before the handshake comes. Relief to Selby, who scrambles through in the end. Gilbert had his chances, but couldn't take them. Selby into the draw later tonight. Alongside John Higgins.

SELBY 4-4 GILBERT (72-8)

Mark keeping a calm head at the business end of the table. As he usually does. Looks for all the world like a 5-4 win for the four-time world champion. One red required to leave Gilbert needing snookers, and in it goes.

SELBY 4-4 GILBERT (29-8)

Dave with a stunning pick-out pot on a red to right middle as pink gallops down a left bag. But he then runs out of position. Tries a recovery pot on a red to left centre, and in it goes. Brilliant pot. Back in business then. What can Dave make here? And the answer is not enough as he ends up slamming black off table in trying to force it in. Well, will that be curtains for Gilbert?

SELBY 4-4 GILBERT (15-0)

This frame could take some time to sort out. Both players rolling up and out of the pack of reds. No prospect of a re-rack so far as Gilbert drags white back down the table. Reds ending up in baulk.

SELBY 4-4 GILBERT (15-0)

Dave leaves a red for Mark to give himself first poke at these balls. Up for the blue to attack the reds. Off two cushions at pace, but red doesn't pop its head out. That is unlucky. Just the safety to follow.

SELBY 4-4 GILBERT (1-0)

Ready for the ninth. Selby left with another red to right corner from distance. In goes red, but just roll up behind green to follow.

SELBY 4-3 GILBERT (45-82)

Selby rattles the jaws with attempted pot on a long brown. Leaves brown, and Dave finally puts away the brown, blue and pink to restore parity at 4-4. We will have the decider at the Centaur!

SELBY 4-3 GILBERT (45-67)

And another huge fluke for Gilbert on the green. Green up and down the table before dropping in a top bag. What a huge slice of good fortune. Selby again needing a snooker to tie matters. And he gets the four foul points as Dave misses brown off baulk cush. Mark needs them all for a re-spotted black.

SELBY 4-3 GILBERT (41-64)

And Selby gets the snooker he needs as Dave goes past the green and ends up hitting pink on way back down. Selby needing all five remaining colours amid a safety duel on green.

SELBY 4-3 GILBERT (35-64)

Cracking pot on a red to right centre by Dave, who then misses frame-ball yellow. Straight down the pot too. He knocks in yellow seconds later. Selby requiring a snooker.

SELBY 4-3 GILBERT (35-59)

Can't release the final red from a side cushion. Just the safety to follow on final red. Gilbert leads by 24 points.

SELBY 4-3 GILBERT (27-59)

Dave tries and fails to punch in a long red. Leaves red over green bag. Chance then for Selby to make up lost ground when all looked lost in this frame.

SELBY 4-3 GILBERT (4-59)

No clinching contribution from Dave. Not yet anyway. 59 goes a long way towards that goal with one red of a remaining five perched on a side rail.

SELBY 4-3 GILBERT (4-35)

Selby going off boil a bit under the pump perhaps as a red to right centre doesn't drop. And Dave responds by dropping in a long red down the table to begin this visit to the table. Suddenly reds opening up, and Gilbert speeding up. Could be heading for a ninth and deciding frame after Dave finishes up here.

SELBY 4-3 GILBERT (4-0)

Will we have a decider in this quarter-final? Fine break-off shot by Selby to leave white behind yellow. And he cans a long red from the baulk line to boost his hopes. But can't get reds open off the green. Just the safety to follow.

SELBY 4-2 GILBERT (30-67)

Dave carts in the final red after Selby can't come up with snooker behind the black. Concession comes from Mark, and this match will have an eighth frame. Tightening up!

SELBY 4-2 GILBERT (30-66)

Dave well tuned in here to the job at hand. Looks like he suddenly fancies the job too. Looking for a red to close to 4-3. And he ends up getting a huge fluke on a red using the rest as it races back down the table to drop in the green pocket. Misses the black, but Selby needs one snooker in this frame.

SELBY 4-2 GILBERT (6-42)

Again, Dave just has to mind his cue ball here. Which is easier said than done. But doesn't need to go seeking out tough pots on awkward reds and colours. They are all there for the taking at the elite level.

SELBY 4-2 GILBERT (6-17)

Selby only making six from his visit, and Dave drains a long red with drag to hold for the black. 'The Angry Farmer' has another chance to get on the move here.

SELBY 4-2 GILBERT (6-0)

The things you see on a snooker table. Gilbert swerves off a cushion first to knock in a red over a top bag. Scrapes the red which somehow doesn't drop. That is truly remarkable.

RESULT: HIGGINS 5-1 SLESSOR

The four-time British Open champion is the first man through to the semi-finals. He finishes with a 42 break, and awaits the draw later on this evening.

SELBY 4-1 GILBERT (0-93)

Classy stuff here from Dave. Needed a solid response, and looks like this could be a one-visit hit in the offing. In goes the blue and red he needs. Back to 4-2 behind. A 93 break from Glbert. Back to 4-2 behind.

SELBY 4-1 GILBERT (0-31)

Get the feeling Dave is going to let the cue arm go here. Time to throw caution to the wind? Some supreme pots early in this contribution. Under normal circumstance, this is a healthy chance to weigh in with a few points. Only difference being scoreboard pressure in trailing 4-1.

SELBY 4-1 GILBERT (0-0)

Off we go then for the sixth frame of a possible nine. Long way back for Dave, but never say never on the old green baize.

'VOICE OF SNOOKER' CLIVE EVERTON DIES

The voice of snooker, Clive Everton, has died at the age of 87. Everton was an esteemed commentator and was the soundtrack to many of the sport's great moments, including commentating when Ronnie O'Sullivan scored the 100th point of his 1000th century. He was also a renowned journalist, and several of snooker's leading figures have paid tribute to Everton. Read more here

SELBY 3-1 GILBERT (71-40)

Selby slips the green into a right centre pocket to put this frame to bed. Opportunity not taken by Dave, who suddenly needs all of the remaining four frames to remain active in this contest.

HIGGINS 4-1 SLESSOR

A second century of the day from John. 102 of his very best in the fifth frame, and he is on the hill. Needs one more frame to reach the last four.

SELBY 3-1 GILBERT (68-40)

But Dave ends up snookering himself on the yellow off potting black. Snookered on yellow, and ends up sticking up the yellow with the escape. Which Selby drills home to leave Gilbert needing a snooker. Looks for all the world like 4-1 then rather than 3-2. Unless Dave can unearth a gas cooker.

SELBY 3-1 GILBERT (66-32)

Some terrific pots on reds with blacks so far by Dave, who could be right in business here with only one red left on the table. Chance of a huge steal.

SELBY 3-1 GILBERT (66-8)

Would you believe this? 66 the lead with 67 left up, and Selby misses frame-ball red. That is astonishing. This would be an almighty steal by Gilbert if he can pull it off. Needs blacks with all the reds.

SELBY 3-1 GILBERT (32-0)

Is this going to be a case of normal service being resumed here? Selby again looking very bright among the balls. Stunning pot on black to splash open the reds. They are wide open now, and here is an obvious chance to move within one frame of the winning post.

SELBY 3-1 GILBERT (10-0)

Selby powers in a long red early in the fifth frame. Really cracked that home off the leather of the back of the pocket.

SELBY 3-1 GILBERT (0-1)

Mark leaves a red over a top hole, but Dave can only produce a solitary red as tough cut on a blue doesn't threaten left middle. Meanwhile, we are heading for a re-rack in fifth frame.

SELBY 3-1 GILBERT (0-0)

Superb break-off shot from Dave to get the action back up and running. Mark forced to settle for the containing safety on a red in response.

HIGGINS 3-1 SLESSOR

Looks like the two four-time world champions Selby and Higgins could be heading for the last four. Both require two more frames to take their respective places in the open semi-final draw of the British Open.

SELBY 3-0 GILBERT (0-73)

Dave makes this break without the black too. Which has been tied up at the top end of the table. Impressive control of the white ball. No century, but a 73 gets the job done every day of the week. Selby holds a 3-1 lead.

SELBY 3-0 GILBERT (0-48)

This has been a tough break to work out, but the hard part has been negotiated. Every chance now for Dave to revel in a one-visit hit to the baize.

SELBY 3-0 GILBERT (0-34)

Gilbert moves serenely to 34. Chance to get some bounce back into his step among the balls. Dave can be a prolific scorer when the mood takes him. 3-1 doesn't sound as bad as 4-0 for his future health in this competition.

SELBY 3-0 GILBERT (0-10)

Dave first to the punch for a change in this match. Surely vital that he makes some progress at this visit. Reds wide open for Gilbert to attack the table.

SELBY 2-0 GILBERT (72-48)

In goes the brown to move 24 points ahead with 18 left up. Gilbert needing two snookers, but a blunder on the blue sticks it up and he has seen enough. One more frame before the mid-sesh. Selby right in the box seat for the semi-finals.

SELBY 2-0 GILBERT (63-48)

Dave really dropping himself in it here with some loose safety shots. Will he be coming back to the table in this frame? Selby looking for pink and the first three baulk colours.

HIGGINS 2-1 SLESSOR

63 knock in third frame from Higgins for a 2-1 lead on the other main table.

SELBY 2-0 GILBERT (52-48)

A red and a black from Selby to nudge himself back into the lead with two reds still up.

SELBY 2-0 GILBERT (45-48)

Dave produces a double on the red into the green bag. In goes green, but can't land on red. He then misses the reds trying to run safe, and sticks up a free ball for Selby. Not good news for Dave.

SELBY 2-0 GILBERT (40-44)

Dave into the lead with a 36 break. Goes for a double on the red, but nothing doing on that occasion. This frame back in mixer with three reds left on deck.

SELBY 2-0 GILBERT (40-38)

Dave within touching distance of Mark then in this third frame. Only one difficult left red on the table.

SELBY 2-0 GILBERT (40-16)

Would you believe that? Selby picks out a brilliant four-ball plant on reds before missing a green off the spot. Dave presented with a golden chance to get his cue arm working at close range.

HIGGINS 1-1 SLESSOR

132 from John in the opening frame is followed by a crisp knock of 74 from Elliot in the second frame. All square on the other main showpiece table.

SELBY 2-0 GILBERT (35-8)

Mark tries to crash into the reds at pace off black, but misses the pack of reds. Tries a rescue pot on a long red, but doesn't drop and Dave handed a reprieve.

SELBY 2-0 GILBERT (15-8)

Well, that is a punishing miss by Gilbert as a red to right middle eludes him. Red doesn't drop. Was far from easy, but a product of his lack of table time here. Selby back in business seconds later. That earlier missed red costing him the princely sum of a massive eight points.

SELBY 2-0 GILBERT (7-8)

Selby has compiled over 200 points without reply in this match, but Mark misses a mid-range red. Opted to stun it. Ends up jawing object ball. And Dave will finally have the chance to register some points at this visit. Been a long time coming. Full house inside the Centaur for these quarter-final matches.

SELBY 2-0 GILBERT (0-0)

Selby bidding to secure his first ranking title since the WST Classic in Leicester early last year. Certainly hitting the ball well enough to be in the mix over the weekend. Dave yet to pot a ball.

SELBY 1-0 GILBERT (101-0)

Well, how do you like them apples? In goes a mid-range red near side cush before Selby drops in blue to bring up the ton. A 101 break is just the job for the Leicester player. He leads 2-0.

SELBY 1-0 GILBERT (67-0)

Gilbert largely frozen out this match so far as Selby careers to 68 with some confidence. Chance of a century in the pipeline here, his 18th of the new season.

SELBY 1-0 GILBERT (37-0)

Plenty of reds in the open for the four-time world champion to put this frame to bed for a 2-0 lead. Dave will be fearing the worst in his chair. Mark doing the damage with reds and pinks. And is so far in the pink.

SELBY 1-0 GILBERT (21-0)

Another corking red to the right middle by Selby to gain access to the table. Gilbert thought he had left a safe table, but Mark pounces on a half-chance as he bids to double his lot in this quarter-final. Has a steely glare about among the balls.

HIGGINS 1-0 SLESSOR

A superb start to quarter-final Friday by John Higgins on the other main table as he rolls in 132 straight off the bat to lead Elliot Slessor 1-0.

SELBY 0-0 GILBERT (98-0)

So there will be no heroic comeback from Dave in this frame. Mark finalising this first frame to claim a 1-0 lead in the race to five. No question about Mark's confidence levels. Looking very comfortable at the table

SELBY 0-0 GILBERT (61-0)

Selby reaches 60 with another 23. But can only wriggle in a red to a top pocket, and has lost the white ball. Just the safety to follow as he nudges a green onto a side rail.

SELBY 0-0 GILBERT (42-0)

Gilbert goes for a mid-range red, but misses the pot and somehow ends up screwing the red into the left centre bag. That could be a disastrous error with Selby scoring for fun in recent frames.

SELBY 0-0 GILBERT (37-0)

A nice opening run of 37 from Selby before he runs out of position. Just the safety to follow, but Mark looking very sharp in the opening exchanges. Looked to be in peak form last night against Thepchaiya Un-Nooh.

SELBY 0-0 GILBERT (13-0)

A moving minute's silence and also a terrific round of applause from the players and officials in Cheltenham after the sad passing of Clive Everton before the action gets up and running on the main showpiece table. These two are good friends with Selby having first chance to score in the opening frame.

WELCOME BACK TO THE BRITISH OPEN

Sad news today in Cheltenham with the news that celebrated commentator and journalist Clive Everton, who was a recognised voice in the 1980s when there were only four terrestrial TV stations in the UK, and also worked for Eurosport on the great sport, has died at the age of 87. There is going to be a minute's silence at the Centaur for Clive before play commences today.