Matthew Selt emerged victorious in Group 4 of Championship League Snooker after beating Neil Robertson 3-1 in Friday’s final at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester.
The Englishman progressed from a competitive group that featured three world champions and several established ranking event winners.
Selt navigated the round-robin phase with a mixed record of three wins and three defeats but did enough to secure a place in the knockout stage alongside Robertson, Kyren Wilson, and Xiao Guodong.
One of the standout moments of the group came during Selt’s league match against Xiao on Thursday, when he compiled the first maximum break of his professional career.
The 147 was the 235th in pro snooker history and the 18th of the season, extending the record for the most maximums made in a single campaign.
Xiao had topped the group standings after recording victories over Gary Wilson, Zhao Xintong, and Neil Robertson, but the Chinese potter was edged out in the semi-finals.
Robertson came through a closely fought last-four encounter, edging Xiao 3-2 after the pair had traded frames throughout a tense contest.
In the other semi-final, Selt defeated Kyren Wilson 3-1, pulling clear after a tight opening frame and finishing strongly to book his place in the final.
The final saw Robertson take the opening frame with a break of 134, but Selt responded immediately by levelling with a run of 69.
The former Indian Open champion then seized control by taking the next two frames to close out a 3-1 victory and secure his spot in next month’s Winners’ Group.
Selt becomes the fourth player to advance to the Winners’ Group, joining Tom Ford, Elliot Slessor, and Si Jiahui, who all progressed earlier in the week.
Despite missing out in the final, Robertson will have the opportunity to remain in the competition when Group 5 takes place in just over a week’s time, following the conclusion of the Masters.
Xiao, Kyren Wilson, and fifth-placed Zhao will also get another chance, but Gary Wilson and Ben Woollaston both bow out after finishing at the bottom of Group 4.
Reigning champion Mark Selby will enter the fray in Group 5 alongside fellow newcomers Stuart Bingham and Wu Yize.
There are various prize bonuses on offer throughout Championship League Snooker, including money for frames won, reaching the group play offs, and recording the highest break in each group.
Championship League Snooker Group 4
Round Robin
Xiao Guodong – 4 points
Neil Robertson – 4 points
Matthew Selt – 3 points
Kyren Wilson – 3 points
Zhao Xintong – 2 points
Gary Wilson – 2 points
Ben Woollaston – 2 points
Semi-Finals
Neil Robertson 3-2 Xiao Guodong
Matthew Selt 3-1 Kyren Wilson
Final
Matthew Selt 3-1 Neil Robertson
Featured photo credit: WST
