Exclusive To Online-Pool - Mark Selby
Mark Selby kindly took a couple of minutes out from his schedule yesterday, during his prelude to the Crucible, to kindly answer a few questions for online-pool.
Q. After meeting John Higgins in the final last year, and with you defeating him in the first round the year before – Are you anticipating a re-match with John this year?
Mark Selby (M.S.) I’d like to hope so yes. If I do play him it would be in the final, so if we both get to the final, then I can get my revenge.
Q Since your success at the Welsh Open and reaching the semi-final at the China Open recently, do you feel that your efforts have given you the confidence, to do well at the Crucible?
M.S. Well, I think so, with the last two tournaments I’m high in confidence. The memories I’ve got of the last two tournaments are of me being a winner and with the semi-final, I’m just going to put the hard work in and come out in full confidence.
Q You are now a deserving 4th in the provisional rankings. Due to your recent achievements you are clearly a worthy contender for the World Championship. At 24 did you ever believe that you would come so far so soon?
M.S. I didn’t believe that I would come this far at such a young age, I mean obviously with what I’ve achieved so far is magnificent.
Q Do you still play pool for Leicester?
M.S. Yes. Not as much as I used to obviously, just when I’m available really.
Q Who was your idol growing up and who influenced you to play snooker and pool?
M.S. My dad influenced me – he used to play snooker and pool himself. My idol growing up would have to be Stephen Hendry because of all the tournaments he’s won.
Q Who gave you the name ‘The Jester from Leicester’ and what’s the funniest thing you’ve ever done?
M.S. It was Richard Bare who gave me the nickname last year and it’s stuck ever since. The funniest thing I’ve probably ever done is when I was in China in 2002, I woke up in the middle of the night – it was quarter past one in the morning – thinking it was quarter past one in the afternoon. I came downstairs fully dressed, with all my snooker gear on and it was the middle of the morning.
Q If you were in charge of a fantasy final this year, excluding yourself – which two players would you choose?
M.S. Possibly Ronnie O’ Sullivan and John Higgins.
Thank You Mark and we wish you the best of luck at the Crucible.
To see Mark related videos visit Mark Selby videos.
Mark Selby was speaking at the launch of the 888.com World Snooker Championship 2008. For more information, and prizes visit www.888snooker.com