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Ken Doherty predicts even more to come from Mark Selby

Ken Doherty has described the manner of Mark Selby's 2017 World Snooker Championship as "remarkab...



Ken Doherty predicts even more...
Golf

Ken Doherty predicts even more to come from Mark Selby

Ken Doherty has described the manner of Mark Selby's 2017 World Snooker Championship as "remarkable" and predicts him to win at least another two titles in the next four or five years.

The 1997 World Champion was speaking to Off The Ball after the end of the 2017 tournament which saw Selby defeat Scotland's John Higgins. 

"His recuperation skills are just mind-boggling. When he was 6-2 down, he couldn't pot a ball. Higgins had him on the rack at 8-3," said Doherty.

"Higgins had him on the rack at 10-4 and should have been a bit more ahead but he then produced those last three frames to get out 10-7. That was the turning point in the match for me.

"You just have to admire Mark Selby the way he came back. He was playing a four time champion. He's playing one of the greats that's ever graced The Crucible or graced the game, someone with vast experience and a big match player in his own right.

"To come back against him and win all those frames, he won 12 out of 13 frames in the final of the World Championships. It was absolutely remarkable."

Describing him as "level-headed", Doherty added: "Realistically I think the next four or five years, Mark Selby could at least pick up another two or three".

The World Championships will remain at The Crucible for another decade at least and Doherty is glad that the tournament stays at the iconic venue for the foreseeable future due to the history and tradition.

"You could put it in another venue in China or in another city in the UK and maybe get 2,000 there. But would it have the same atmosphere? Would it have the same history?" said the Ranelagh native.

"It's a bit like the Masters at Augusta, it's a bit like Wimbledon. It shouldn't be moved. There are some things money can't buy and you can't buy The Crucible and I'm delighted it's still there." 

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