Selby beats Page to reach English Open semi-finals

In the decisive frame of Mark Selby’s 5-4 victory over Jackson Page, Selby advanced to the English Open semifinals with a superb 131 break.

Before leveling the match with a run of 111, Page, the four-time world champion, lost 2-1 and 3-2 to Welshman Page.

Selby, who is aiming for his 25th ranking title, only needed Page to knock in his fourth half century to make sure it went the distance before the Englishman sealed his victory in frame seven.

Zhou Yuelong, a Chinese national, rallied from a 4-2 deficit to defeat Luca Brecel, a 2023 world champion, 5-4 to defeat Selby in the final four.

Before Zhou edged a tense 52-minute ninth frame after Brecel left him routinely in the yellow pocket, breaks of 94 and 113 made it possible for him to regain his 4-4 lead.

Former Crucible finalist Jak Jones defeated Aaron Hill 5-2, and Mark Allen, a former Northern Irishman, took a 4-0 lead over Mark Allen before rallying.

Slessor, England’s top scorer, was on target to win the whitewash, but Allen, who had a 55, put a frame on the board, missed a challenging black off the spot.