- By Steve Sutcliffe
- BBC Sport at Manchester Central
Mark Selby has only reached one ranking final this season amid inconsistent form
Mark Selby says it’s “maybe time to do something else” after losing 10-8 to Gary Wilson in the first round of the Tour Championship.
Four-time world champion Selby, 40, won the Championship League in March, but has largely struggled due to inconsistent form this term.
“I battled but it was terrible. If I carry on playing like that, that will be it for me for sure,” said Selby.
His only ranking final came at the British Open in October.
“I’ve always said if it gets to a point where I stop enjoying it and it doesn’t matter whether I am number one in the world or 128, I won’t carry on playing,” added Leicester-born Selby.
“I am putting the work in, but then if you are putting it in for performances like that it seems pointless really.”
Selby has fought to overcome well-documented mental health issues during his career and recently spoken of other personal struggles away from snooker, due to the death of a family friend from cancer – the same illness his wife Vikki has battled against.
“I felt flat out there,” he said. “It is a big competition and if you can’t get yourself up for competitions like this there is something wrong.
“My performances this year have been like night and day. There has been no consistency. I started the season off OK and then was pathetic midway through. You think you’ve found something and the next game you are back to where you were.
“It is not enjoyable. I am putting the work in and working hard and nothing is happening so maybe it is time to do something else.
“If I put in the same performance in Sheffield [at the World Championship] that will be me done.”
Carter & Williams hold firm to progress
Meanwhile, Ali Carter held off a Barry Hawkins fightback to win 10-8 and set up a last-eight meeting with world number one Ronnie O’Sullivan that is likely to be far from friendly given their history.
Carter led 7-1 after the opening session but watched fellow Englishman Hawkins stage a superb recovery for most of the evening before finally getting over the line.
Three-time world champion Mark Williams produced a break of 66 to beat Tom Ford 10-9 in a final-frame decider on the opposite table and set up a meeting with Judd Trump on Thursday (13:00 BST).
Welshman Williams, 49, held his nerve after England’s Ford, who scored heavily throughout, knocked in breaks of 138, 133, 90 and 63 as he won five frames out of six to ensure a dramatic finale.
Wilson books Zhang date
Wilson, who has won the Scottish Open and Welsh Open this season, was 5-3 up overnight and then led 7-4 and 8-6 on his first appearance at the event.
And while the 38-year-old sealed victory with a clearance of 105, he was far from impressed by his own performance in Manchester.
“Mark struggled and I struggled badly,” said Wilson. “It was a game where you try to dig in and just get over the line. There are not many positives I can take – the result is.
“I just need to try to find something for the next game because that wasn’t very good.”
Wilson will next face China’s Zhang Anda on Wednesday (13:00 BST).
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Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
