On April 17, 2022, Beijing time, the first round of 16 seats was decided at the Snooker World Championship, and the defending champion Mark Selby eliminated Jamie Jones 10-7, successfully advancing to the championship and taking an important step in the journey to defend the title. In the match, Selby scored a three-shot 100 to unlock a new achievement, and he was the fourth player to complete his 100th individual 100th at the World Championships, after Hendry, O'Sullivan and Higgins.
Selby is the defending champion and four-time winner of the World Championships, and in this top-level event, he is the most successful active player since O'Sullivan and Higgins. However, Selby's performance this season has been sluggish, because of mental health problems, Selby has missed many games, and his journey to defend his title is full of variables. Before the game, Selby revealed that his mental condition was much better, and snooker was his spiritual food.
Facing Jamie Jones in the first round, Selby shot a single 134 and 129 points in the first half, plus a three-shot 60+ to take a 6-3 lead. It can be said that Selby has played his own strength, although the state is not the best, but also released the pressure. Moreover, the referee made a small mistake in the game, teasing Selby, and the defending champion laughed happily.
In the second half, Selby continued to play well, leading 8-3 after winning two consecutive sets. Jamie Jones then began to fight back, showing his strength, and after winning three straight sets, Jamie Jones trailed 6-8 and the suspense was back. In the crucial 15th inning, Selby scored a single shot of 137 points to win the match point 9-6.
It was Selby's third 100th shot of the game, his 100th of the World Championships and his 721st career 100. Selby also unlocked a great result, being the fourth player to complete his 100th individual 100th at the World Championships, after Hendry, O'Sullivan and Higgins. In this regard, Selby succeeded in matching three great players.
Jamie Jones still didn't give up and tied the score to 7-9, but Selby seized the opportunity in the 17th set and won the game, eliminating Jamie Jones 10-7 on aggregate to win the first round of 16 at the World Championships. After the game, Mark Selby shook hands with Jamie Jones, then waved his fist to greet the audience, and the tough Selby slowly returned.
The winning Selby will face the winner between Yan Bingtao and Chris Walkering in the second round, he has a long time to adjust, no matter who the next opponent is, Selby will be very confident, because winning the first round does release the pressure, congratulations Selby!