Selby destroys Jimmy in World Championship

Cueist Allen stages amazing fight back to go through to second round.

SHEFFIELD:

World number three Mark Selby sealed a 10-1 first-round win over Crucible debutant Jimmy Robertson to set up a second-round clash with seven-time winner Stephen Hendry.

Robertson took the opening frame of the match but then offered little resistance as Selby cruised through to the last-16.

Selby had sympathy for his opponent who seemed completely out of depth at the world stage.

“I did not perform brilliantly but unfortunately for Jimmy, I think the occasion seemed to get the better of him,” he said. “He started off brilliantly but after that he seemed to fade away. It is unfortunate for him because it is everybody’s dream to play at The Crucible and he did not really show what he was capable of, but I am sure he will be back.”

And though Selby is aware of Hendry’s prowess, the Englishman was not intimidated at the prospect of facing the former champion, having beaten him 13-5 in the second round last year.

“It is a tough draw. It’s like Stephen’s second home, The Crucible,” said Selby. “I played to a good standard last year so if I up my game I’ve got a good chance. I’m sure it’ll be a great match.”

Allen hits back to win

Earlier, Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen won the last four frames to clinch a thrilling 10-9 victory over Matthew Stevens in the first round.

Stevens, who sealed a 10-9 preliminary round win over Fergal O’Brien on a black-ball finish, looked on course for victory after opening a 9-6 lead. But Allen hit back with a late flurry to make sure of his progression.

Allen was delighted at the victory and declared the win as the best of his career.

“It’s the biggest win of my career,” said Allen. “To win a final frame here at The Crucible against a player of Matthew’s quality in front of a packed house, it does not get much better than that.”

The 25-year-old Allen had came to Sheffield with little expectations, and admitted that at times during the concluding session he wanted nothing to do with the match.

“I was so close to smashing the pack open off my break at 9-6, I had to talk myself out of it on my back swing,” he said. “From somewhere I found a 100 break in that frame and that seemed to spur me on.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 22^nd, 2011.