Mark Selby wins 2022 English Open

Mark Selby has won the 2022 English Open, defeating Luca Brecel 9-6 to secure the final title of the year.

The victory ends a 19-month drought for title success, with his last major final victory coming in the 2021 World Championship. Selby took time out from the sport in January after speaking out about his struggles with mental health and, given that context, he described the win as one of his “biggest achievements”.

Despite flashes of brilliance, neither player was really on top form, but it was Selby who maintained his composure to defeat his Belgian opponent.

The four-time world champion was on fine form in the afternoon session, making 90 without reply to swiftly win the first frame. He kept things tight and then made 57 to move two in front, and after Brecel broke down on 14 in frame three, a 74 by Selby just extended his lead. It took two visits and a surprising missed blue off it spots by Selby, but Brecel put his first frame on the board and went into the interval 3-1.

Brecel seemed in charge when we returned, as Selby tried to force in a long red and left an easy starter for his opponent. The Belgian made just 42, and Selby took advantage, making 52 and then clearing up to move 4-1 in front. It was looking ominous for Brecel, but frame six seemed a bit of a turning point. At 69-45 ahead, Brecel missed, and he and Selby had a battle on the yellow – the Belgian edged it, and then he took the seventh frame too. There was one left to play – Brecel made 43, his highest break of the session, and then played safe. Selby escaped but left a red, and it was 4-4 going into the evening.

His real victory comes from returning to the top of the game

The evening began on a scrappy frame, with both players having chances, but it ultimately saw Selby re-establish his lead. A completely misjudged safety by Brecel let Selby in in frame 10, and an efficient 61 made it 6-4. Brecel needed big breaks and one-visit wins to get back into the match, and he produced one, making 122 (the highest of the match) to reduce the arrears to one. A total fluke, missing a red that resulted in a pot and perfect position on the green, gave Brecel first chance in frame 11 – it took a few visits, but Selby went into the final interval 7-5 in front.

It didn’t look great for Brecel – he played a poor shot, and left Selby a starter with reds everywhere. He picked off loose balls, but then he broke down on 47. There was a distraction, a heckler who was removed by security, but it didn’t break Selby’s iron focus – once Brecel left the last red for him, he potted it and moved within one of victory. Brecel needed a phenomenal run to get back into the match – a chance came when Selby lost a safety exchange, and t he balls were scattered perfectly for a maximum break. He secured the frame and made a 113 to get back into the match, but it wasn’t to be. Brecel immediately left a chance for Selby – he made an assured 87 to close out the tournament.

After the match, Selby said: “I think, for me, this probably has to go down as the biggest achievement for me from where I was back in January. I’ve been suffering for a few years silently. Only [his wife] Vicky and probably the close family really know.

“But yeah, it’s been tough. Obviously, from January, trying to get myself back on my feet, it’s not been easy. It’s probably been the biggest challenge in my life, so to actually come back out here playing snooker and enjoying it again, it’s all I ever wanted to do. To actually come out and win a tournament is incredible, really.”

Selby has won at least one title every year since 2010, and although he left it until the last event of 2022, he has continued that superb record. He picks up the Steve Davis trophy and the top prize of £80,000 in the process, but his real victory comes from returning to the top of the game – he started the year taking time off to address his depression, and he ends it once again a champion.