YORK, England — In a gripping final that ebbed and flowed with high drama and immense pressure, Mark Selby held off a monumental fightback from Judd Trump to win 10-8 and claim his third UK Championship title at the York Barbican on Sunday night.
The victory, sealed with a nerveless century break in the final frame, cements Selby’s status as one of the sport’s greatest-ever competitors and ends a two-year ranking title drought. For Trump, the defeat was a bitter pill, having clawed his way back from 7-3 and 9-6 down to threaten one of the most remarkable comebacks in the tournament’s storied history.
A Tale of Two Sessions
The afternoon session belonged almost entirely to Selby, who showcased his trademark granite-like matchplay. Trump, the 2011 champion, started brightly with a break of 128, but Selby responded by grinding out the next four frames to establish a 4-1 lead. While Trump managed to stop the rot at 4-2, Selby won the final two frames of the session to take a commanding 6-2 advantage into the evening.
The key to Selby’s dominance was his tactical mastery and ability to win the scrappy frames. He repeatedly stifled Trump’s natural attacking flair, forcing errors and capitalizing on any half-chance. As the players left the arena, the question was whether Trump could rediscover his spark and mount a challenge.
The Jester Mounts His Charge
The evening session was a different story. Trump emerged a player transformed, taking the first frame with a break of 84. Although Selby responded to make it 7-3, Trump then unleashed the scintillating form that has made him the sport’s most prolific winner in recent years. Breaks of 100, 78, and 56 saw him reel off three frames in a row to close to 7-6, suddenly turning the final into a best-of-11 contest and electrifying the York crowd.
Selby, however, is renowned for his resilience. In a critical 14th frame, he produced a stunning clearance of 72 under immense pressure to stop Trump’s momentum and restore a two-frame cushion at 8-6. He then extended it to 9-6, moving to within one frame of the title. The finish line seemed in sight.
Trump's Spirited Fightback Falls Short
Refusing to surrender, Trump dug deep once more. He compiled a brilliant 104 to make it 9-7, and then, after a tense and protracted 17th frame filled with safety exchanges, he clinched it on the final pink and black to narrow the deficit to 9-8. The arena was on edge, witnessing a classic battle of wills between two of the sport’s modern giants.
With the momentum seemingly all with Trump, the 18th frame began tensely. Both players had opportunities, but it was Selby who found a crucial opening. Demonstrating ice-cool composure, he meticulously constructed a match-winning break of 129, his second century of the final, to cross the line and secure the title. As the final red dropped, he let out a roar of relief and triumph.
Emotions Run High at the Barbican
The victory was profoundly emotional for Selby, who has spoken openly about his mental health struggles over the past two years. After accepting the trophy and the £250,000 winner’s cheque, a visibly moved Selby reflected on the significance of the win, stating: "Two years ago I was in a really dark place. To be standing here with this trophy now means everything."
He paid tribute to his opponent’s tenacity, acknowledging the pressure of Trump’s comeback: "When Judd gets on a roll, he’s the best player in the world by a mile. At 9-8, I was just hoping to get a chance. To finish with a century was a great feeling."
A gracious Trump, who was seeking a second UK crown, was left to rue his slow start. "I left myself with too much to do. Mark was too strong in the first session. I gave it my all towards the end, but he was too good."
Selby Enters the History Books
This third UK Championship title places Selby in an elite group. He now joins the legendary Steve Davis and fellow modern great Ronnie O’Sullivan as a three-time winner of the sport’s second-most prestigious ranking event. The win also marks a significant milestone in his career resurgence, highlighting key aspects of his triumph:
- Tactical Brilliance: His ability to disrupt Trump’s rhythm in the first session was the foundation of his victory.
- Mental Fortitude: Withstanding Trump’s fierce comeback required immense psychological strength.
- Clutch Finishing: Winning the critical 14th frame and sealing the match with a century under extreme pressure.
The 2023 UK Championship final will be remembered as a classic encounter that had everything: sublime break-building, intense tactical battles, a stunning comeback, and a champion overcoming personal adversity to triumph on the biggest stage. For Mark Selby, "The Jester from Leicester" proved once again that when the stakes are highest, his will to win is second to none.
