Mark Selby Conquers Welsh Open: A Gladiator’s Grit Seals Thrilling 9-6 Victory Over Maguire

Mark Selby clinched the Ray Reardon Trophy for the first time with a hard-fought 9-6 victory over Stephen Maguire in the Welsh Open final. The four-time world champion showcased his trademark resilience to outlast Maguire, who was appearing in his first ranking final since 2020. With this victory, Selby maintained his remarkable streak of winning at least one ranking title in each of the last 16 seasons, solidifying his status as one of the sport’s most consistent performers.

Selby, now a two-time Welsh Open champion, demonstrated his ability to handle high-pressure situations throughout the match. Maguire made an early push, taking a 3-1 lead and threatening to extend it further at 5-3 and later at 7-5, but each time Selby found a way to level the contest. At 6-6, the momentum shifted decisively in Selby’s favor as he capitalized on key moments to secure the final three frames, denying Maguire any opportunity to mount a comeback.

Snooker legend Jimmy White praised Selby’s ability to remain composed under pressure, referring to him as a “gladiator” for his mental fortitude and all-round excellence. “He’s such a great all-round player. The number of titles he’s won shows his composure—he never panicked and was a worthy winner in the end,” White remarked.

Neal Foulds echoed these sentiments, emphasizing Selby’s resilience and ability to recover from setbacks. When Selby missed a critical shot at 6-6, the mid-session interval provided him with the perfect opportunity to regroup. Having navigated countless challenging moments in his career, Selby once again displayed his “bouncebackability,” an essential trait of a four-time world champion.

Maguire, despite a strong showing throughout the week, seemed to run out of energy at the decisive stage. Foulds observed that Maguire hadn’t potted a ball for over two frames and, when presented with a chance, was unable to take advantage. “Selby had never trailed all day, and when the opportunity came, Maguire had nothing left to offer,” he noted.

Foulds also pointed out that Selby’s triumph had been predicted by many after his tense semi-final battle with John Higgins, suggesting that the winner of that match would likely go on to lift the trophy. In the end, Selby’s consistency, mental toughness, and strategic approach proved too much for Maguire, earning him yet another ranking title and reinforcing his place among snooker’s elite.