Mark Selby dumped out of English Open by Ishpreet Singh Chadha, who reaches the semi-finals after dramatic decider
Updated 21/09/2024 at 08:30 GMT+1
Ishpreet Singh Chadha advanced to the English Open semi-finals with an outstanding 5-4 victory over Mark Selby, after a gripping quarter-final at the Brentwood Centre. The world No. 77 motored into a 4-1 lead, but Selby came roaring back to draw level at 4-4. The signs all looked to be pointing towards a Selby victory but Singh Chadha won the match with the final black ball in a pulsating contest.
Singh Chadha makes ‘sensational’ clearance to pinch frame against Selby
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ishpreet Singh Chadha claimed arguably the biggest victory of his career to date after edging a dramatic final-frame decider to overcome Mark Selby with a stunning 5-4 victory in Brentwood.
Selby looked like completing an incredible comeback after recovering from 4-1 down to level the scores at 4-4, before Singh Chadha retook the lead at the death to set up a last-four clash against Wu Yize.
Singh Chadha sealed the opening frame after a mistake from Selby at the end of an attritional safety battle left Singh Chadha with a chance to lay down an early marker.
The Indian was utilising the cue ball masterfully on his way to a very impressive opening break of 73 to draw first blood in this contest.
Singh Chadha secured the second frame when Selby's failed safety shot left the world No. 77 with a number of finely placed reds, which he dispatched efficiently before clearing to the pink.
It was looking like being one of those nights for Selby, who failed in his attempts to land a tricky red to the left middle, and Singh Chadha took full advantage.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/09/20/4042544-81988533-2560-1440.jpg)
'My word he's got it' - Singh Chadha pulls off audacious five-ball plant against Selby
Video credit: TNT Sports
With another favourable-looking table, he went on to surpass the century with a break of 114 to move within two frames of a famous victory.
Selby needed to get his act together, and finally exploited a rare lapse from Singh Chadha to get on the scoreboard.
The Indian twice failed to escape from a snooker, and 'The Jester' seized the opportunity to work towards a sizeable, morale-boosting break of 96 heading into the mid-session interval.
A cagey fifth frame after the re-start would go in favour of Singh Chadha after Selby mistimed a safety shot and allowed the former to make a late steal to land the blue, pink and black to edge the frame 61-55.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/09/20/4042587-81989388-2560-1440.jpg)
Singh Chadha makes ‘sensational’ clearance to pinch frame against Selby
Video credit: TNT Sports
Selby reeled Singh Chadha back in though, as the latter went for an ambitious red that did not fall in his favour, and in turn, left Selby in a promising position.
Selby was able to clear up the remaining reds and moved within two frames of Singh Chadha once again.
The seventh frame of the match progressed beyond 30 minutes, with both players continuing to be thwarted by an awkward red in an intriguing safety exchange.
Selby left the cue ball hanging over the red for Singh Chadha to dispatch, which he followed with a blue to a middle pocket.
An audacious attempt to land the final red failed, giving Selby a reprieve and a chance to reduce the deficit to one.
He did so with aplomb, ending with a small, albeit crucial break after clearing to the pink.
Selby then completed a remarkable recovery from 4-1 down to take the match into a ninth-frame decider, seizing momentum by potting a superb red and on his way to another break of 96.
An increasingly tetchy final frame ebbed and flowed both ways before Singh Chadha came in at the death with an incredible final break of 41 to claim his first appearance in a ranking event semi-final.
Chadha thanks mother after landmark victory
Chadha thanked his mother for helping him record the biggest win of his career in Brentwood.
His mother was in the stands for the match and was visibly moved by the performance.
“This will always be in my memory," he said. "It is my biggest win so far and my biggest result in a ranking event.
"I am very happy, and I will see what will happen next. I think some qualities from gaming have really helped me in snooker.
"I can handle pressure much better when I’m playing well. I was known to win deciders in India as well and I am happy to have won this game.
“I am so happy I could win in front of my mum. I wouldn’t be playing snooker if it wasn’t for her. She has given me so much freedom to do whatever I want.
"So much hard work has gone in. There have been so many sacrifices from her to let me live my life.”
- - -
Stream the English Open and much more top snooker live and on-demand on discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement