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Sheffield (AP) - The Englishman Mark Selby is back on the snooker throne and has captured his fourth world title in Sheffield's famous Crucible Theater.
In the final, the 37-year-old prevailed against his compatriot Shaun Murphy at 18:15.
After 2014, 2016 and 2017, Selby once again conquered the billiard version. “The Jester from Leicester”, as Selby is called, had won a tour on Sunday evening and subsequently never gave it away. In the final session on Monday evening, 990 spectators were allowed - the Crucible was thus sold out. The Snooker World Cup had been selected as a pilot project by the British government to research the return of fans in the corona pandemic. All fans were tested in advance and wore a mask throughout the hall.
«Three world titles were more than I ever dreamed of.
Getting three titles was incredible.
To catch up with John Higgins would be fascinating.
I never stopped believing in myself.
It's been tough in the last few years, »said Selby even before the crucial session, in which he had started with a 14:11 lead.
In the new world rankings, Selby is number two behind Judd Trump from England.
Final opponent Murphy missed his second world title after 2005.
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For Selby it is also a piece of reparation after losing a thrilling semi-final to eventual champion Ronnie O'Sullivan with 16:17 last year.
Regarding the series of multiple champions, Selby comments: “This is a very special place in snooker history.
There aren't many who have won this World Cup more than once.
This is a very special club. "
On the way to the final Selby had successively defeated Mark Allen from England and the former world champions Mark Williams (Wales) and Stuart Bingham (England).
The top favorites Trump and O'Sullivan had said goodbye to possible duels with the more defensive Selby.
In the final, Selby and Murphy performed well, and the new champion set a highlight with a 120 break shortly before the end.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210503-99-452463 / 4