Mark Selby stuns O'Sullivan to pocket World Snooker title

Sheffield: English pro Mark Selby played the match of his career to stun defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan and pocket his maiden World Snooker Championship title here today. The Leicester-based cueist, who trailed 7-10 overnight, triumphed 18-14 on a dramatic final day at the Crucible to become the new World No.1. [caption id=“attachment_1511021” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Mark Selby celebrates after winning the world title. AFP[/caption] Getting past Neil Robertson in a gruelling semi-final and and then stopping O’Sullivan from bagging his third successive World Snooker crown, Selby, 30, is on cloud nine. “To beat Ronnie in the final to win my first world title is a dream come true,” said an a delighted Selby. An excited Selby, who got richer by 300,000 pounds, dedicated the triumph to his late father. “My father died when I was 16, two months before I turned pro,” said an emotional Selby. “His last words to me were to win the world title. I promised him I would. So this is for him.” Five-time champion O’Sullivan paid tribute to Selby’s tenacity after losing at the Crucible for the first time since 2011 and the first time in a final. “I tried my hardest but he was just too good,” O’Sullivan said. “I’ve had some great victories here but losing is part of the sport. I’ll go away, lick my wounds and come back and try to be one better next time.” PTI