Selby Wins Dramatic Ally Pally Opener - Masters 2014

Defending champion Mark Selby edged Mark Davis 6-5 in a thrilling opening match at the Dafabet Masters in London's Alexandra Palace. Davis himself recovered from 4-0 & 5-2 down to force the decider.

Photo's courtesy of Monique Limbos. Full draw/results from the Dafabet Masters can be found here. 

Defending Masters champion Mark Selby was playing well coming in to 2014's first big televised tournament, having recently appeared in the final of the UK Championship.

In today's opener against world no.15 Mark Davis, Selby looked to be continuing his great form as top runs of 59 and 80 gave him a 4-0 lead in quick succession with his opponent not taking the few half-chances that came to him.

After the interval, St Leonard's Davis looked like a completely different player, making breaks of 80 and 43 to pull back to 4-2. Selby took the next, scrappier frame to go 5-2, before Davis made the first century of the tournament, a fantastic 136 clearance, to keep him in contention.

Mark Davis blazing the comeback trail against Mark Selby.

The 41-year-old then stole the next with a 49, before producing breaks of 62 and 64 in the 10th frame to force the decider against Selby who looked in the early stages of this match to be running away from it.

In what was the longest frame of the match, Selby eventually established a 62-1 lead over his opponent, but then missed four opportunities to sink match-ball. Davis kept battling but a safety error cost him and the Leicester man got the last red he needed and looked relieved to have gotten over the line, a 6-5 winner.

Selby will next play the winner of tonight's match between Stuart Bingham and John Higgins. For regular updates throughout the Dafabet Masters, follow me on Twitter.

By Stephen Kent