Could the jinx of first time Crucible champions coming back to defend their title strike as early as the first round, this year?
It could well do. Selby looks rattled out there and has played some very loose shots in the last few frames. The frame before that he knocked in a total clearance of about 128. But Maflin has battled back gamely and this game is very much on a knife edge.
8-7
Everything conspiring against Selby at the moment, he’s gone in off twice on his last two shots and even when Maflin misses he leaves nothing on. Maflin reels off four frames in a row to level it at 8-8, the world champion is on the ropes, can the Norwegian number 1 land a knock out blow?
Maflin was first in and looked to have a chance for a decent break, but he missed a simple black off the spot, the unique pressure of The Crucible is getting to the debutant.
Selby’s turn for a shocking miss with the frame at his mercy, Maflin with a great chance to take the frame now, this is a huge test of his mettle.
Selby has to win the last two.
Maflin received some outrageous fortune in that frame, but he won it and that’s all that matters. He’s 9-8 up and the world champion is on the brink, extraordinary scenes.
Maflin has had the run of the balls, but Selby is badly out of sorts too.
OMG what a miss by Selby.
What a chance Maflin has here. From 8-4 down too!
Selby dodges a few bullets in this frame and is in now with a great chance to level it. This is absolutely gripping.
9-9. The tension is unbearable out there. Who has the bottle to win now?
The World Champion hasn’t passed his Selby date just yet.
Selby has produced two stunning long pots but his luck keeps deserting him. He’s been very unlucky so far in this frame.
Maflin produces a superb pot on a long red and then misses a simple one when he looked to have the match at his mercy, Selby is in now, can he hold his nerve?
Maflin blew it. Had a gilt edged chance in both of the last two frames.
Graeme Dott leads Ricky Walden 5-4 from the other table tonight.
Balls of steel shown from the world champion. You could see how much that meant to Selby, you have to feel for Kurt Matlin, he was outstanding. What a match that was, looks like we are in for one hell of a tournament!
Professional sport a cruel business. That’s why Selby is a 31 year old champion & Malfin a 31 year old journeyman. Selby doesn’t have the natural talent of a Ronnie, Robertson or Trump. Don’t see him winning it again. He’s made a very successful career out of what he has though. Tough match player.
Marco Fu has opened up a 7-5 lead over Jimmy Robertson while Barry Hawkins has taken the opening frame against Matthew Selt.