Wuxi Classic 2011 - Super Selby

Mark Selby started his season and the first televised tournament of the year with a bang as his defeated world cup partner Ali Carter 9-7 in the final of the Wuxi Classic in China.

Wuxi Classic 2011 draw & results

The result is a huge relief to Selby, who performed consistently last season but lost in two close finals - against Mark Williams at the German Open and Judd Trump at the China Open. And it's a fantastic start to the season for the World No 3 from Leicester who pockets a cheque for £20,000.

The 28-year-old now goes with renewed confidence into next week's PTT-EGAT World Cup, where he will partner Carter in the England team.

"Last season I got pipped at the end of a couple of tournaments so it's great to win a trophy so early this time," said Selby, who won the Masters in 2008 and 2010 but has won just one ranking event - the 2008 Welsh Open. "I know this isn't a ranking event but it was still a very strong line up so to win the title is a good achievement. It can only do good for my confidence and hopefully there will be more to come this season.

"If Ali and I play as well next week then we have a great chance to win the World Cup. It's strange to think that today I was willing him to miss balls and next week I'll be willing him to pot everything. He's a great player and we'll be a strong team."

The first session of the final finished 4-4, Selby making breaks of 89, 92 and 66 while Carter knocked in 90 and 72. Essex cueman Carter then took the lead with an 84 before Selby surged ahead by winning four straight frames with top runs of 71, 53 and 80. From 8-5 down, Carter battled back to 8-7 with 94 and 99, but a high quality contest was settled in frame 16 as Selby fired in an even 100 to finish in style.

"The first session was a bit scrappy and we both missed a few balls," he said. "Then I scored well in the evening session. I didn't really get a chance from 8-5 to 8-7 but I made a nice century to close it out."

The Wuxi Classic was the first of three events back-to-back, with the World Cup to be followed by the Australian Goldfields Open. Selby added: "It's a long time away from home but I felt this was a great event to play in and get some matches under my belt, and I've ended up winning it so I'm delighted."

Article & photo courtesy - World Snooker

Its good to see Mark Selby get a win under his belt after a dissappointing end to his 2010/2011 campaign. After winning PTC2 last July and finishing 2nd on the order of merit he seemed to struggle in the major events and lost in the finals of the German Masters and China Open. He did himself a bit better at the Crucible by beating Stephen Hendry 13-4 in the 2nd round and making a record seven century breaks in a world championship match but then lost 13-10 to Ding Junhui in the quarter-finals.

Regardless of what happend last season though this is a great achievement for Mark and he will no doubt be looking forward to the Australian Open and the rest of the events, hoping to add to his one ranking event title won, the 2008 Welsh Open.