Why Mark Selby looks like the new world No. 1-in-waiting after key change in approach to snooker at China Open - 'I love it'
By Desmond Kane
Published 15/08/2026 at 12:47 GMT+1
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Judd Trump faces a battle to extend his two-year stay at world No. 1 beyond the end of August with Zhao Xintong, Neil Robertson and Wu Yize all hoping to take over at the summit. But nobody has really discussed the prospect of Mark Selby making a stunning return to the game's most coveted spot.
'A terrific break!' - Selby makes prolific 137 break to move clear of Robertson
Video credit: TNT Sports
Judging by the manner of his run to the semi-finals of the China Open, the season's first major ranking tournament in Taiyuan, there looks every chance Selby is ready to take over at the top - a position the Leicester man last held four years ago.
The classy nature of his wins over Kyren Wilson and Neil Robertson, both by resounding 6-1 scorelines, suggest he is finding the formidable form that saw the three-time China Open winner first become world No. 1 in 2011.
It was a spot the 25-time ranking event winner also held for four years between 2015 and 2019 as the game's most consistent performer.
Title victories at the China Open and Wuhan Open would be worth £425,000 and could be enough to see the world No. 7 replace Trump, who will lose £500,000 from his total at the end of the month.
"I felt I played more or less faultless snooker," said Selby after demolishing Robertson, second in the rankings behind Trump, with two blistering centuries of 114 and 137 and four breaks over 50.
"I played great, I was confident and hit the ball well, and scored very well. If I play like that, I am a match for anyone."
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Selby produces 'immaculate' century to move clear of Robertson
Video credit: TNT Sports
Robertson managed to stave off the whitewash with a fine 122 in the fifth frame before Selby secured a semi-final meeting with Stuart Bingham, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max on Saturday at 12:30 BST, by dominating the closing two frames.
Selby also compiled four 50+ breaks in a 6-3 win over Pang Junxu in the last 32 before finding another level as breaks of 138, 79, 69, 65 and 56 crushed Wilson's hopes.
Like Robertson on Friday, the recent Shanghai Masters runner-up avoided a 6-0 drubbing with a knock of 99 in the fifth frame.
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The key reason behind Selby's positive approach to potting is the decision to move to a new cue after ending a 20-year love affair with the old one.
But the new stick has seen him fall in love all over again with his ball striking and assuredness in his gait around the table illustrating a fresh level of self-belief.
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"Beating Kyren was a big win for me and that gave me a lot of confidence going into today," the UK champion told reporters.
"Any top sportsman would say that confidence is everything. There are still just a couple of shots with side I am getting used to with the cue, but I love it.
"Lewis [Roberts] from Stamford Cues made my old cue and I had that for 20 years, and now he has made me one just as good if not better.
"There are still four top players left in the tournament who are more than capable of winning it.
"I'm not looking at the fact that Neil and Shaun Murphy are out because if I don't perform tomorrow I'll get beat.
"If I play somewhere near the same as today, I'll have a chance."
Noppon Saengkham, chasing a maiden ranking title, defeated Zhou Yuelong in the other semi-final on Saturday morning.
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