Mark Selby realised a lifetime ambition by rising to the top of the world rankings for the first time.
The Jester from Leicester beat Mark Williams 10-9 in an epic Shanghai Masters final to steal the coveted No.1 from the Welshman and continue his recent rich vein of form.
Despite two Masters titles, Selby had only one ranking event to his name, the 2008 Welsh Open, after finishing on the losing end in four previous finals, including the 2007 World Championship.
But he ended that hoodoo in ...

Mark Selby is the new world No.1 after he beat Mark Williams to lift the Shanghai Masters.
In another late-night thriller, Selby battled back from 9-7 down to beat Williams 10-9 and win his second ranking event.
The Jester from Leicester had led 7-5 at one stage, but two-time world champion Williams demonstrated the sort of form which took him back to the top of the world rankings.
But Selby, famous for his never-say-die attitude, kept his composure to mount a stirring comeback and snatch the ...

Mark Selby got the perfect build-up to this week’s World Cup by lifting his first trophy of the season.
The world No.3 beat Ali Carter 9-7 to win the Wuxi Classic in China and pocket a cheque for £20,000.
The Jester from Leicester now teams up with Carter in the two-man England team that are among the hot favourites for the World Cup in Thailand.
England open their account in Bangkok today with a Group C clash against Brazil before playing Belgium tomorrow.
They face India on Thursday and ...

Mark Selby enjoyed a dream wedding as he married Vikki Layton in Mexico.
The pair tied the knot on May 24 in Cancun, when they were joined by a small group of family and friends.
Enjoying an extended honeymoon with a weekend’s break in Sheffield, including watching Leicester pals Kasabian in concert, Mark said: “It was a great day, I’m so happy. Vikki is one in a million.
“The day could not have gone any better if I wanted it to. The weather was great and everything went smoothly ...

Mark Selby would love to walk down the aisle as the newly-crowned world champion.
The Jester from Leicester marries fiancee Vikki Layton in Mexico next month and he admits winning snooker's richest prize would be the "icing on the cake".
Selby gets his Crucible challenge under way tonight with a first-round match against rank outsider Jimmy Robertson.
It could be the start of a 13-day marathon that, hopefully for the 27-year-old, culminates with lifting the prestigious trophy for ...

Mark Selby has been drawn against Crucible debutant Jimmy Robertson in the first round of the World Championship next month.
World No.61 Robertson is a former English amateur champion and had to win three qualifying rounds to book his place at snooker’s most prestigious tournament, which starts on April 16.
In his final qualifier, the 24-year-old from Bexhill won all seven frames in the evening session to beat 1997 Crucible winner Ken Doherty 10-6.
If Selby, who reached the semi-finals of ...

Mark Selby is a strong favourite for the title at the Players Tour Championship Grand Finals in Dublin this week.
The world No.4 is the second-highest ranked player in the 24-man field, behind world No.2 Mark Williams.
The event is the culmination of the PTC Series, with the players battling it out for the £60,000 first prize at The Helix.
Players were ranked in an Order of Merit according to how much money they won, with the top 24 going through to the Grand Finals.
With each match the ...

German Masters runner-up Mark Selby has risen to No.4 in the latest world rankings.
The Jester from Leicester lost a thrilling final 9-7 against Mark Williams in Berlin.
But the consolation for Selby, who was appearing in his fourth final in a world-ranking event, was moving up two places in the updated list.
“I was gutted to lose, but it was still a great achievement getting to a ranking final,” said Selby. “But I want to be winning them!
“I played well in the first session but I ...

Mark Selby was gracious in defeat after losing his Masters crown.
Selby suffered a shock 6-4 reverse against Mark King in his opening match at Wembley Arena.
The Jester from Leicester led 2-0 but King, who admitted afterwards that he is the “worst break-builder there is in the top 16”, hit back to win four frames in a row which included a break of 139.
Selby battled back square the match at 4-4, but King took the next two frames to seal perhaps his biggest victory for some years.
Selby ...

Mark Selby hopes to match Paul Hunter’s achievement by winning the Masters three times in four years.
The Jester from Leicester defends his title in snooker’s most prestigious invitation tournament next month.
Selby has an amazing record in the Masters, winning it on his debut in 2008 and again last year, and reaching the final in 2009.
In all, he has won 11 of the 12 matches he has played in the event.
This season’s tournament runs from January 9 to 16 at Wembley Arena and ...