Selby starts well

The ‘Jester from Leicester’ had only narrowly missed out in the previous round two weeks ago, losing in the final to Shaun Murphy after winning seven straight matches, but returned to top form in sweeping aside Mark Davis 3-0, Masters champion Neil Robertson 3-0, and Stephen Hendry 3-2.

It was a tough return to action for Robertson, who less than 24 hours earlier had wrapped up victory at Alexandra Palace, with Selby and Davis edging him out.

Robertson’s fate in the group hangs in the balance after two victories and two draws.

Hendry’s hopes are surely over, however, after he was beaten in all four matches to lie at the foot of the table.

Championship League 3 concludes on Tuesday, with the winner joining Judd Trump and Murphy in the Winners Group in March with a chance of qualifying for the Premier League.

Mark Selby 3-0 Mark Davis

Neil Robertson 3-2 Matthew Stevens

Jamie Cope 3-1 Martin Gould

Mark Selby 3-2 Stephen Hendry

Mark Davis 3-2 Neil Robertson

Martin Gould 3-1 Matthew Stevens

Jamie Cope 3-2 Stephen Hendry

Mark Selby 3-0 Neil Robertson

Matthew Stevens 3-2 Mark Davis

Martin Gould 3-2 Stephen Hendry

Neil Robertson 3-1 Stephen Hendry

Matthew Stevens 3-0 Jamie Cope