Selby thrashes Hendry and targets winning the title - 25/09/2008

MARK Selby moved to the top of the PartyPoker.com Premier League Snooker table - and then insisted he could win the title.

Mark Selby

Selby, who is known as 'The Jester from Leicester, produced another solid performance as he beat seven-time World Champion Stephen Hendry 5-1 at the Assembly Rooms in Derby.

Competing in his first Premier League, Selby now sits top of the seven-man field after claiming more frames than another debutant, Joe Perry, who lies second.

Selby had beaten Ding Junhui in his opening game and had too much for Hendry as he moved into a 4-0 lead to take both points.

It was not the same performance that saw Selby overcome Ding but breaks of 39, 43, 40 and 50 were enough to put Selby over the line.

He and Hendry shared the last two frames but the crushing 5-1 defeat will give the Scot plenty to think about.

"I didn’t play that well but had a few good breaks and overall the match was a bit scrappy," said Selby. " Initially, my thoughts were to just come here and enjoy it but I believe I can win it. Why not?"

Mark Selby 5-1 Stephen Hendry
82-4 (Selby 39), 77-9 (Selby 43), 76-66 (Selby 40, Hendry 37), 79-8 (Selby 50), 1–75 (Hendry 52), 67–64