Snooker fans are in for a treat as two of the sport's modern greats, Mark Selby and Neil Robertson, prepare for a blockbuster semi-final clash at the Champion of Champions tournament. The winner will earn the right to face Judd Trump, who has already secured his place in the final.
The Road to the Semi-Final
Judd Trump booked his final spot with an impressive 6-2 victory over world champion Zhao Xintong on Friday night. Despite admitting he was far from his best, Trump controlled the match, capitalising on numerous chances offered by an underperforming Zhao.
Meanwhile, Neil Robertson fought his way to the last four by defeating Tom Ford and the formidable John Higgins. Mark Selby navigated a tough path, seeing off Stephen Maguire and edging out Mark Williams in a tight contest.
Pundits Struggle to Pick a Winner
The snooker experts are finding this match-up notoriously difficult to call, with both players in fine form and little to separate them.
Former Masters champion Alan McManus highlighted the unpredictability on his Snooker Breakfast podcast. He recalled their recent encounters: ‘They played against one another in the Players Championship and then two weeks later in the Tour Championship. In the Players Championship Neil beat Mark 6-3. The following week Mark Selby beat Neil Robertson 10-1 in Manchester.’ Despite the conundrum, McManus is leaning towards Robertson, believing his recent form, including a crucial clearance against John Higgins, gives him a slight edge.
Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry agreed it is a ‘real tough one’ to predict. While acknowledging Robertson's heavy scoring, Hendry told ITV that he believes Selby could be the man to beat. He expressed hope for a high-quality match, predicting a 6-4 victory for Selby, but cautioned that their games can sometimes descend into tactical, scrappy affairs.
A Finely Balanced Rivalry
1997 world champion Ken Doherty appeared to favour Robertson, citing the Australian's recent Saudi Arabia Masters win as a major confidence booster. ‘He’s playing with a lot more confidence, playing a lot faster, he’s scoring a lot more freely,’ Doherty said. However, he ultimately sat on the fence, predicting a nail-biting 6-5 finish either way, acknowledging Selby's renowned resilience.
The historical head-to-head record underscores how evenly matched they are. In all competitions, the pair have met 48 times, with Robertson leading 24-23 and one draw. Their first professional meeting was 19 years ago in the 2006 Welsh Open, a match Selby won 5-3.
Awaiting the victor is a final against Judd Trump, who surprisingly revealed he is playing at only ‘10 per cent’ of his capability. Trump admitted to struggling with a new cue and a lack of fluency, making his run to a sixth Champion of Champions final all the more creditable.
