Selby back within three at intervalpublished at 20:32 British Summer Time 1 May 2023
Selby 13-16 Brecel
Three frames on the spin for 'The Jester'.
Can he finish with a ton before his cuppa?
Summary
Final score (best of 35 frames): Mark Selby (Eng) 15-18 Luca Brecel (Bel)
Belgium's Brecel becomes fourth non-British player to win world title at the Crucible Theatre
Selby won five successive frames from 16-10 behind before Brecel clinched first world title with century break
Brecel climbs to number two in world rankings and wins £500,000 first prize
Selby back within three at intervalpublished at 20:32 British Summer Time 1 May 2023
Postpublished at 20:29 British Summer Time 1 May 2023
Selby 12-16 Brecel
52 and counting. Stick a fork in this frame the way the reds are. It's done.
Postpublished at 20:27 British Summer Time 1 May 2023
Selby 12-16 Brecel
Shaun Murphy
2005 world champion on BBC Two
Image source, PA MediaIf I were in Camp Brecel, I'd start writing the team talk now. If Mark starts building a head of steam, this is a long way from being over.
The fact Mark knows how to do it, how to cope with those emotions, makes Luca's job all the more difficult.
Postpublished at 20:26 British Summer Time 1 May 2023
Selby 12-16 Brecel
Selby taking no prisoners now. Crushes into the pack off a black and wow, they are all there for the taking for a player of his calibre.
Postpublished at 20:24 British Summer Time 1 May 2023
Selby 12-16 Brecel
Mark Selby is gaining confidence.
Punishes another lax Luca Brecel break-off with a wonderful punchy long red.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 20:23 British Summer Time 1 May 2023
#bbcsnooker, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Stuart Norris: Luca threw his arm in the last two frames and missed by a fair bit when he could have played safe. If Selby wins the next frame he'll fancy his chances.
Steve: I don't think you can write this match off, can still end up very close. Mark Selby knows how to grind these out and this year has seen some great comebacks.
'Selby will make him squirm'published at 20:21 British Summer Time 1 May 2023
Selby 12-16 Brecel
Steve Davis
Six-time world champion on BBC TwoMark's not playing well enough at the moment but if he keeps on getting chances he will get into form.
If Luca Brecel pushes his high-wire act too far he's in danger of going over the edge.
The way he's been playing, relentlessly attacking, it may still pay off and he has a few cracks at getting over the line but you know full well Mark will make him squirm.
Postpublished at 20:19 British Summer Time 1 May 2023
Selby 12-16 Brecel
Dennis Taylor
1985 world champion on BBC TwoIt's a frame he had to win. And he's won it!
Mark Selby is far from done. It's still a long way back, now he's just four frames behind.
Image source, Getty ImagesBack-to-back frames for Selbypublished at 20:19 British Summer Time 1 May 2023
Selby 12-16 Brecel
For the first time today, Mark Selby wins successive frames.
Not over yet.
Postpublished at 20:18 British Summer Time 1 May 2023
Selby 11-16 Brecel
Shaun Murphy
2005 world champion on BBC TwoMark Selby will make Luca Brecel earn those two frames he needs. The closer he gets, the more difficult it's going to become.
Postpublished at 20:18 British Summer Time 1 May 2023
Selby 11-16 Brecel
Just the colours needed for Mark Selby to reduce his deficit further. Everything up to the pink required but brown and blue well off their spots.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 20:17 British Summer Time 1 May 2023
#bbcsnooker, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Tim at 19:56 I'm not saying it's not been brilliant watching Brecel, what I mean is it's a bit unfortunate that it's not been a closer affair. I'd have loved there being only a couple of frames in it, or a decider. That's down to Selby not being able to handle the Brecel game.
Ben, via WhatsApp
Postpublished at 20:16 British Summer Time 1 May 2023
Selby 11-16 Brecel
Mark Selby cannot manage to do so but Luca Brecel is well off with a long pot attempt.
Decent chance but the colours are awkward so far from a routine clearance.
Postpublished at 20:14 British Summer Time 1 May 2023
Selby 11-16 Brecel
Dennis Taylor
1985 world champion on BBC TwoNow that the green's gone next to the blue, what a target to get in behind.
Postpublished at 20:13 British Summer Time 1 May 2023
Selby 11-16 Brecel
But then he goes awry - Brecel follows Selby's break of seven with just seven of his own.
Real tense frame this, 36-20 to the Belgian with two reds left.
If Brecel wins it, he's one frame from the title.
Postpublished at 20:12 British Summer Time 1 May 2023
Selby 11-16 Brecel
But no, a tricky red at the foot of the table wobbles in the jaws of the corner bag but refuses to drop.
A gimme for Luca and he plays a nice positional shot to get on the pink.
Postpublished at 20:10 British Summer Time 1 May 2023
Selby 11-16 Brecel
Brilliant long red from Mark Selby and this time he is on a colour.
Chance to pull another frame back.
Postpublished at 20:08 British Summer Time 1 May 2023
Selby 11-16 Brecel
Oh, but a Brecel-esque cross-double into the corner pocket from Mark Selby.
For the umpteenth time, though, no colour to follow. Could be the lowest-scoring frame of the final this, 29-13 to Brecel with four reds left.
Postpublished at 20:07 British Summer Time 1 May 2023
Selby 11-16 Brecel
Third time lucky, hits the red and knocks it safe.
Postpublished at 20:05 British Summer Time 1 May 2023
Selby 11-16 Brecel
Another chance for Mark Selby, from distance. And he makes it. 29-4 behind, but once again not on a colour.
In behind the blue. lays the snooker. Or can Luca just see a thin edge of a red?
Nope, tries a two-cushion escape twice but gets nowhere near either time.