Selby Leads After Fiercely Contested Session

Mark Selby took four of the five frames played to lead Mark Allen 7-6, after the second session of their Cazoo World Championship semi-final was cut short.

Neither player was willing to give an inch during an afternoon where play became fragmented. As a result, the session was ended three frames shy of the scheduled eight.

Player of the season so far Allen is seeking his first World Championship title and he led four-time Crucible king Selby 5-3 after yesterday’s opening session.

Northern Irishman Allen extended his advantage this afternoon by taking a 41-minute frame on the pink to lead 6-3. However, Selby rallied to force his way back into contention. He came from requiring a snooker, to steal the tenth frame on the black and reduce the deficit.

A break of 95 in the 11th saw Leicester’s Selby close the gap to 6-5 and the 22-time ranking event winner then made it four on the bounce to head in for the mid-session level at 6-6.

When play got back underway there was only time for a single frame to be played. After 47 minutes of play, it was Selby who eventually took it to secure an overnight lead.