Mark Selby established a 6-2 lead over defending champion Judd Trump as he dominated the opening session of the UK Championship final in York.
Selby, a two-time winner appearing in the final of one of snooker’s prestigious Triple Crown events for the 15th time, produced a near-flawless display of snooker in the first five frames.
After making a clearance of 77 in the most unlikely of situations to take the first frame from Trump, he took the second after winning a tactical battle at the yellow flag and compiled a break of 97 to take a 3-0 lead.
When Trump, world number one, missed a red to the right center while he was 68 points ahead, his English compatriot Selby stepped forward again to mercilessly punish him by clearing the table with a 70.
By the time Selby took the fifth frame, he had notably won 10 in a row against Trump, returning to his Champion of Champions final in November.
However, despite putting up a frustrated figure, Trump rallied to reduce his arrears with runs of 74 and 75 before Selby underlined his dominance by taking the final frame of the afternoon session.
More to follow.
