Selby Survives Zhang Scare to Reach English Open Last 16 — Selby vs Wilson Incoming
The Bottom Line
Mark Selby is through to the third round of the 2024 English Open, but don't let the scoreline flatter him. The Leicester Jester needed a final-frame decider to see off China's Zhang Anda 4-3 in Brentwood, completing a nervy 39-point clearance to take the deciding frame 59-49 on the black. He now faces Kyren Wilson in the last 16 — a match with genuine tournament implications and one we'll be covering in full with tips ahead of the clash.
How It Unfolded
Selby looked to be in control when he turned a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead, doing what he does best — grinding, suffocating, making his opponent feel every single point. But Zhang Anda isn't a player who rolls over. The Chinese number one fired in a century break to level at 3-3 and force the decider, a moment that will have had Selby's backers reaching for the off switch.
In the end, though, this is where Selby earns his reputation. When the pressure is at its most intense, the world number two tends to find something. That final clearance of 39 — taking the frame 59-49 on the black — was vintage Selby under the cosh. It wasn't pretty, but it rarely needs to be. He's a player built for exactly these moments, and it's worth remembering he reached the final of the British Open just days ago, only to fall 10-6 to Jak Jones on Sunday. He's carrying some fatigue and some frustration into this tournament, which makes his resilience here all the more notable.
The Rest of the Draw — What You Need to Know
Elsewhere in the second round, there were some results that will shape how you approach the outright and match betting markets going forward.
Judd Trump continues to look ominous. The world number three dismissed Ashley Carty 4-1 with his usual brand of attacking brilliance and will now play Anthony McGill, who came through 4-1 against Fan Zhengyi. Trump remains the most dangerous outright threat in this field and his price deserves close attention if it drifts ahead of the latter stages.
Oliver Lines — the man who produced one of the results of the season by beating world number one Zhao Xintong in round one — couldn't back it up. Lines led 3-2 against Yuan Sijun having recovered from 2-0 down, only to drop the last two frames and exit 4-3. A cruel exit for a player who had captured the imagination, but Yuan Sijun is no mug and will be a name to watch in round three.
Barry Hawkins beat Daniel Wells 4-1 to set up a last-16 meeting with Mark Williams, who came through 4-3 against Matthew Selt in what sounds like it was another tight affair. That Hawkins vs Williams tie could be a slow-burn classic — two veterans who know exactly how to make life uncomfortable for each other.
Wu Yize posted a 4-2 win over compatriot Xu Si and faces Liam Davies, who beat Xinbo Wang 4-1. Shaun Murphy and Ali Carter were the most emphatic performers of the round, both recording 4-0 whitewashes — Murphy over Jamie Clarke and Carter against Robbie Williams. Carter in particular looks sharp and is worth monitoring in the outright markets.
Selby vs Wilson — Mark Your Card
The standout last-16 fixture from a betting perspective is undoubtedly Selby vs Kyren Wilson. Wilson came through his own tight 4-3 battle against Wuhan Open champion Chang Bingyu to get here, so neither man arrives at this match in cruise control. These two know each other extremely well on the tour and their encounters are reliably competitive. Expect a tactical, attritional match where the long-game player wins — and that description fits both of them.
We'll have a dedicated match preview and betting tips article for Selby vs Wilson ahead of the fixture. Given Selby's British Open final appearance and Wilson's own strong recent form, this has the makings of one of the ties of the round. Keep an eye on the correct score and total frames markets in addition to the match winner — the value often lives there in these evenly matched encounters.
Responsible Gambling
All betting content on SnookerWins.co.uk is intended for adults aged 18 and over. Please gamble responsibly. If you're concerned about your gambling, visit BeGambleAware.org or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. Set your limits before you place a bet, not after.
