Snooker Selby 'chuffed' to clinch his first 'triple crown' title in four years

MARK Selby withstood a brave fightback from world number one Judd Trump to clinch the third UK Championship title of his career at the Barbican Centre in York.

- Mark STANIFORTH

Mark Selby with the UK Championship trophy

(Pictures: Martin Rickett/PA)

Selby had zoomed into a 5-0 lead in the opening session before Bristol-born Trump twice chiselled his way back to a single-frame deficit and threatened to dash his rival's dream of a first 'triple crown' title since 2021.

But the 42-year-old just about held his nerve to complete a 10-8 win that signals his return to the top of the sport after four years in which a return to his dominant best had seemed a distant prospect.

Selby went public over his battle with depression in the wake of his fourth world title win in 2021, endured a whole season without a ranking title to his name and considered retirement after crashing to a Crucible defeat to Joe O'Connor in 2024.

"It's amazing to win another 'triple crown' - they not easy to win and it took me nine years to get back here (as UK champion)," said Selby.