Mark Selby wins second English Open crown with win over Luca Brecel
It was the former world number one's first ranked trophy since winning the World Championship in 2021, with an emotional Selby describing the win as "his biggest achievement."
The 'Jester from Leicester' pulled away from 4-4 to take a comprehensive 9-6 triumph, earning £80,000 in prize money and climbing up to second in the world rankings.
In January he revealed he was facing a long-term battle with mental health, admitting that the highs and lows of professional snooker were taking a toll on his ability to perform.
After lifting the trophy alongside his family, Selby told Eurosport that he had "been suffering for a few years silently."
"If it wasn't for Vikki, I wouldn't be sat here now."
World number 11 Brecel battled valiantly from 4-1 down to tie the match going into the evening session, but Selby took the first frame of the evening with a tidy 51 clearance before going on to make a 61 in the next to lead 6-4.
After later missing out on a 147 maximum in frame 14, eventually sinking a 113, he would then go on to let the next frame slip after failing to pot a long shot on a red, with Selby going on to take the title after securing an excellent 87.
The play was briefly interrupted with the match at 7-5 after a member of the audience began shouting out to distract Selby while he was taking his shot.
The fan had been warned previously by the referee but failed to listen, again crying out just as Selby was about to take a shot.
Amid an angry reaction from fellow supporters, the referee then had the spectator removed, asking security: "Can you please get him out?"
