Mark Selby makes first maximum break in World Championship final but trails Luca Brecel
Mark Selby celebrates (Photo credit: Zac Goodwin/PA/Alamy)
Mark Selby made the first maximum break in a World Snooker Championship final, but trails Luca Brecel 9-8 overnight at the Crucible.
The Jester created history in the Sheffield showpiece on Sunday as he coolly compiled a brilliant 147 in the penultimate frame of the second session.
Hitting the fifth maximum of his career, four-time champion Selby ensured a share of the combined £55,000 maximum and high-break prize with Kyren Wilson, who achieved the feat during his first-round victory over Ryan Day.
The 147 also helped the world number two in his fightback from 9-5 down to only trail by a single frame against first-time finalist Brecel.
The first player from mainland Europe to appear in the World Championship final, Brecel was fresh from producing the greatest comeback in Crucible history in his semi-final victory over Si Jiahui, who he defeated 17-15 from 14-5 down.
And the Belgian demonstrated no signs of fatigue, quickly establishing a 3-0 lead with breaks of 77 and 90. Although, a missed red to the centre enabled Selby to get his first frame on the board.
Nevertheless, Brecel won three of the next four frames – producing runs of 67 and 70 while taking the sixth on the blue – to move 6-2 ahead at the opening session’s conclusion.
Selby, who battled past Mark Allen in the early hours of Sunday morning, appeared fresher upon the resumption of play with breaks of 134 and 96 helping close the deficit to 7-5.
Back came Brecel with contributions of 72 and 67 in the next two frames ensuring an overnight lead, but his opponent was to have the final word of the day.
Following a run of 61, the Jester delighted the Crucible crowd with a beautifully crafted 147 and received warm embraces from Brecel and referee Brendan Moore, who is officiating the final match of his wonderful career.
Selby built on that momentum by overturning a 48-1 deficit to take the last frame of the day on the blue to boost his hopes of completing yet another trademark turnaround.
????? ? #CazooWorldChampionship pic.twitter.com/RkewiaNe1K
— Live Snooker (@Livesnooker) April 30, 2023
147 breaks at The Crucible
| PLAYER | YEAR | ROUND | OPPONENT |
| Mark Selby | 2023 | Final | Luca Brecel |
| Kyren Wilson | 2023 | First round | Ryan Day |
| Neil Robertson | 2022 | Second round | Jack Lisowski |
| John Higgins | 2020 | Second round | Kurt Maflin |
| Stephen Hendry | 2012 | First round | Stuart Bingham |
| Stephen Hendry | 2009 | Quarter-final | Shaun Murphy |
| Ali Carter | 2008 | Quarter-final | Peter Ebdon |
| Ronnie O’Sullivan | 2008 | Second round | Mark Williams |
| Mark Williams | 2005 | First round | Robert Milkins |
| Ronnie O’Sullivan | 2003 | First round | Marco Fu |
| Ronnie O’Sullivan | 1997 | First round | Mick Price |
| Stephen Hendry | 1995 | Semi-final | Jimmy White |
| Jimmy White | 1992 | First round | Tony Drago |
| Cliff Thorburn | 1983 | Second round | Terry Griffiths |
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