Selby beats Lisowski in thrilling decider to set up semi-final with Guodong

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Mark Selby is into the semi-final of the British Open after edging a 5-4 victory over Jack Lisowski in a Friday night thriller.

The four-time world champion prevailed in the decider after roaring back having lost the opening two frames in Cheltenham. He will play Xiao Guodong in Saturday’s semi-final after the world No. 37 overcame Tom Ford 5-3.

In an error-strewn opening frame, Lisowski drew first blood, capitalising when Selby miscued on the black, with an audacious double helping to edge ‘Jack-Pot’ in front.

Lisowski was quickly back among the balls in frame two, and although he passed up the opportunity of a big break, he made sure of the frame after punishing another uncharacteristic mistake from Selby.

Full of confidence and seemingly destined to move 3-0 in front, Lisowski, inexplicably, missed a sitter of a red. Selby’s eyes lit up as he made a clearance of 98 to halve the deficit and put the pressure on his opponent.

With the game back in the balance, a reinvigorated Selby quickly made a half-century before retreating to baulk. A long, drawn-out safety exchange ensued before ‘The Jester’ finally levelled at the interval in a frame that lasted 45 minutes – longer than the previous three combined.

The frame that followed was completed in rapid fashion. Selby clicked back into gear immediately after the restart with just his second century of the tournament thus far, making a total clearance of 135 to take the lead in the match for the first time.

Lisowski threatened to follow suit with a break of 70 but ultimately failed to put the frame to bed on his first visit, allowing Selby the chance to play for snookers. His attempts proved to be in vain as Lisowski restored parity at 3-3.

An entertaining match – fourth frame aside – continued to twist and turn as Lisowski handed Selby the initiative to get his nose back in front. It’s an opportunity he wouldn’t be denied as he treated the fans to another supreme break of 95.

The drama was far from over, though, as Selby contrived to miss a red to bottom right in the eighth frame; Lisowski pounced with a 64 clearance to set up a decider.

After a re-rack, the outcome of the decisive frame rarely looked in doubt as Selby took charge early on and made sure of his semi-final berth by displaying another example of his break-building skills.

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