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| Venue: Crucible Theatre, Sheffield Dates: 15 April-1 May |
| Coverage: Watch live on BBC TV and Red Button with uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport app |
Mark Selby created history as he became the first player to make a maximum 147 break in a World Championship final.
But the four-time world champion trails Luca Brecel 9-8 going into Monday’s last day of action.
“The atmosphere when I potted that final black was electric. It is incredible. Just to make a 147 here is hard enough,” said 39-year-old Selby.
“I always thought that if I got in that position I would be shaking like a leaf. It was amazing how calm I felt.”
Brecel in charge before Selby magic
Belgium’s Brecel had dominated the opening session with his flamboyant attacking style to open up a 6-2 advantage.
However, Selby, who appeared jaded on Sunday afternoon as a consequence of the draining late-night finish to his semi-final victory over Mark Allen, delivered a superb riposte in an exhilarating second session.
A high-quality start saw Selby finally display his devastating potting ability, opening with a 134 break and then a 96 as he reeled off three of the first four frames.
Brecel, who crafted a brilliant 99 of his own in the 10th frame of the match, constructed back-to-back half centuries to re-establish a four-frame lead at 9-5.
But Selby again responded, pinching the final frame of the session after his 147 to leave snooker’s blue-riband event delicately poised when play resumes at 13:00 BST on Monday.
How Selby achieved snooker perfection
Selby’s special effort arrived in the 16th frame of the match, with the Englishman coming to the table after Brecel had left a red hanging in the jaws of the bottom corner pocket.
As excitement built he went on to superbly pot a difficult final red with the rest to clear all 15 reds, all accompanied by blacks, before dispatching the colours.
It prompted joyous scenes as the fans inside the auditorium erupted.
Referee Brendan Moore, officiating in his third and last Crucible final before retirement, was the first to congratulate Selby, who was also embraced warmly by Brecel.
40 years of Crucible 147s
Selby’s feat comes 40 years on from the first ever maximum at the Crucible, compiled by Cliff Thorburn in 1983.
The Englishman is the 10th player to achieve a total clearance at the Sheffield venue – Kyren Wilson also made a 147 earlier in the tournament.
There have been 14 maximums in total at the Crucible with Ronnie O’Sullivan and Stephen Hendry making three each.
The select band of players to reach the magical tally is completed by Cliff Thorburn, Jimmy White, Mark Williams, Ali Carter, John Higgins and Neil Robertson.
Wilson’s 147 came during his 10-5 first-round win against Ryan Day.
Selby is set to share with him an additional £55,000 in prize money, with £40,000 on offer for a 147 and £15,000 for the tournament’s highest break.
Analysis – ‘It’s a magical moment’
Ken Doherty, 1997 world champion on BBC Two
It was amazing, to be here and have a bird’s eye view of it, it’s a magical moment in Crucible history.
To make a maximum in a final is just the icing on the cake for Mark Selby in his career.
Shaun Murphy, 2005 world champion
Phenomenal. Iconic pictures. The irony that during the interval we were running a piece about Cliff Thorburn [making the Crucible’s first maximum in 1983] and celebrating the anniversary of that, to then a couple of frames later [for Selby to make one].
It was absolutely amazing. What a competitor. To then follow that up by winning the final frame, that is absolutely vital. A very interesting day that we’re set up for tomorrow.
By Steve Sutcliffe
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