Super Selby goes top - 14/10/2010

Mark Selby 5 – 1 Marco Fu
90 (90) – 0, 24 – 101 (68, 33), 98 (64, 30) – 0, 72 (53) – 40, 131 (131) – 0, 90 (90) - 0

Mark Selby, a finalist in this event in 2008, put in an outstanding performance to defeat Marco Fu 5-1, and make a move towards the top of the 2010 PartyCasino.com Premier League Snooker table.

Breaks of 131, two of 90 and a 64 propelled him to an excellent win in front of a 600-strong crowd at the Inverness Leisure Centre. The Leicester man got off to a dream start with a fluid 90 break but he missed out on the £1,000 century bonus as he jawed the black trying to force position for the final red.

Fu though, fired back with a break of 68 but ran out of position to lose the table. Needing snookers, Selby gave it a go but Fu escaped the toughest snooker and went on to take the frame. In what was a high quality encounter, Selby then produced runs of 64 and 30 to secure the third frame.

The two-time Masters champion secured at least a point after Fu attempted to retrieve a frame that saw him needing snookers, but Selby put the final green away to end it.

There was more blistering break-building from Selby in the fifth frame as he piled in a 131 to go 4-1 head and secure the match. Another outstanding run, this time a 90 was a fitting end to one of the best performances in the league this season.

“I’m over the moon! I wanted the win but to play like that and win was a real bonus,” said Selby.

“I’m devastated I missed out on the two tons because that two grand would be far better in my pocket than Barry Hearn’s!

“I’m happy to be top but I need more points and I’ve got two tough games to come but I’ve given myself a chance,” added Selby.