World Snooker Championship final: Alan McManus doesn’t see how Mark Selby can come back against Luca Brecel

The next four frames were shared, so Brecel is just three frames away from becoming the fourth non-British winner of the World Championship.

“I don’t think he can do anything about this,” McManus said in the Eurosport studio. “I’ve been looking for a weakness in Brecel and I can’t see it.

“11-11 against Mark Williams, ton, ton. 9-6 up against Ricky Walden, back to a decider, ton. What he did against Si Jiahui was off the charts and that’s third in the list. I don’t see a weakness.

“I don’t see how Mark Selby can get this. He’s created miracles before the great man and I’ll never ever lose faith in him, regardless, but I just don’t see Luca faltering.”

Brecel had not won a match at the Crucible prior to this year, but stunned Ronnie O’Sullivan from 10-6 behind in the quarter-finals and trailed Si Jiahui 14-5 in the semi-finals before roaring back.

He made three centuries in the first mini session against Selby on Monday afternoon in the final, underlining his ability to change the momentum of a match with quick-fire snooker.

Jimmy White says Brecel is enjoying himself and agrees that Selby has a “big task” on his hands.

“He [Brecel] has got so much respect for Selby,” explained White. “He knows how difficult he is, knows he’s a big character, knows how well he played last night and knows he will come back at him.

“He was only one frame in front today and has played, probably, what I think is the best session so far in this tournament.

“Selby hit back but he stayed composed and took his time over some shots. It’s incredible snooker he’s playing.”

– – –