Mark Selby gave himself an opportunity of going for a hat-trick of Championship League Snooker titles after winning Group 5 on Tuesday in Leicester.
The Englishman has won the invitational tournament in both of the last two campaigns and has reached the Winners’ Group again in 2026.
Selby qualified for the knockout phase of Group 5 on the back of a strong round-robin display that saw him finish in second place with a record of four victories and two defeats.
The reigning UK champion then compiled breaks of 82, 85, and 91 to comfortably see off the challenge of Wu Yize in the last four.
Awaiting him in the group final was Zhao Xintong, who had reached that point with an unbeaten record and his own 3-0 semi-final defeat of Xiao Guodong.
Selby took the opening frame of the final on the black before the world champion responded with a run of 67 to restore parity.
A terrific 122 century break restored Selby’s lead, and the 42 year-old duly wrapped up the 3-1 victory in the fourth frame with a 65 clearance.
The Winners’ Group is scheduled for next month at the Mattioli Arena with five out of the seven available spots now confirmed.
Selby joins prior group winners Tom Ford, Elliot Slessor, Si Jiahui, and Matthew Selt who each progressed in the behind-closed-doors competition earlier this month.
Chinese trio Zhao, Xiao, and Wu will have another opportunity when they take part in Group 6 on Wednesday and Thursday, as will Oliver Lines who finished in fifth in Group 5.
Lines only got a late call to participate after the withdrawal of Kyren Wilson, who triumphed at the prestigious Masters on Sunday.
That quartet will be joined by newcomers Jak Jones, Zhang Anda, and Jack Lisowski in Group 6, with Neil Robertson and Stuart Bingham now eliminated from the tournament.
There are various prize bonuses on offer, including money for frames won, reaching the group play offs, and recording the highest break in each group.
Championship League Snooker Group 5
Round Robin
1. Zhao Xintong – 6 points
2. Mark Selby – 4 points
3. Wu Yize – 3 points
4. Xiao Guodong – 2 points
5. Oliver Lines – 2 points
6. Neil Robertson – 2 points
7. Stuart Bingham – 2 points
Semi-Finals
Zhao Xintong 3-0 Xiao Guodong
Mark Selby 3-0 Wu Yize
Final
Mark Selby 3-1 Zhao Xintong
Featured photo credit: WST
