In the early morning of December 15, Beijing time, in the first round of the Snooker World Grand Prix, Selby eliminated Barry Hawkins 4-1 to advance to the round of 16. In this campaign, Selby was in very average form, only hitting 1 shot 50+, even worse than opponent Barry Hawkins.
In the first set, Selby won the chaotic battle, 80-68 ahead of the next city. In the second set, Barry Hawkins scored two consecutive 50+, 54 points + 76 points, and 130-0 zero sheet Selby to equalize the overall score. In the third set, 85-15, Selby still won with a multi-shot chance. In the fourth set, Selby scored the only 50+ of the game, a single 51 points, a 70-9 win, and the General Bureau scored 3-1 to win the match point. In the fifth set, Barry Hawkins failed to take advantage of the opportunity, and Selby won 66-1, and the first match point was cashed in.
Looking back at the whole game, Selby only played 1 par 50+, Barry Hawkins shot 2 shots of 50+ in the second inning, and the rest of the innings, there was no single 50+, let alone a single shot, the quality of the game is very average. Of course, when both sides are in poor shape, Selby is often able to nibble off the game and become the winning side, which is Selby's way of winning.
In the next round of 16-in-8 matches, Selby will play against the winner between Cao Yupeng and Mark Allen, if Cao Yupeng can eliminate Mark Allen to advance, then, the next 1/8 final, China's famous player is fully expected to be upset! Judging from the match against Barry Hawkins, Snooker NO.1 Selby is in very average form, and Cao Yupeng definitely has a chance! Of course, the premise is that Cao Yupeng can reach the round of 16.