Selby Withdraws from Players Championship and China Open

News has filtered through today that Mark Selby has withdrawn from the upcoming two ranking events due to personal reasons.

The world no.1 was expected to feature prominently at the Players Championship next week in Manchester before flying to Beijing to defend his China Open crown.

However, the 32 year-old from Leicester will now not be on our screens until the World Championship in Sheffield next month.

It’s a shame for both tournaments to lose the sport’s top ranked player, but whatever the cause must be of utmost importance to Selby and his family – so let’s wish him the best.

Matthew Selt, as the highest next placed cueman on the European Order of Merit, will replace Selby and is set to take on Andrew Higginson in the opening round of the Players Championship.

In the China Open, Darryl Hill will be given a bye into the last 64.