World Open snooker: Mark Selby hits 800th career century, but who holds the all-time record? Neil Robertson victory

ByEurosport

Published 23/01/2024 at 12:22 GMT

Mark Selby and Neil Robertson found their scoring form at the Metrodome in Barnsley on Monday to secure spots in the last 64 of the World Open in China. Selby hit two centuries to pass the 800 mark for his career in a 5-3 win over Xing Zihao, while Robertson eased past Victor Sarkis with a 5-0 victory. Ronnie O'Sullivan aims to book his place at the event against Alfie Burden on Tuesday night.

Watch: Selby's 800th career century at the World Open in full

Mark Selby compiled his 800th career century in a 5-3 win over Xing Zihao at the Barnsley Metrodome that saw the four-time world champion book his trip to the World Open in China.

The Leicester man produced the landmark moment in the fifth frame with the match level at 2-2 as he rolled in a 130 break to move 3-2 clear of tour rookie Xing, who won the sixth frame to level at 3-3 after earlier producing 83 and 63 to threaten an upset.

Selby promptly added 101 for his 801st ton to move 4-3 ahead and edged the eight frame on the final black to secure a spot in the last 64 of the ranking event in Yushan (March 18-24), situated in the Jiangxi Province of China.

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Selby is fifth in the all-time list of snooker century makers since turning professional in 1999, 109 behind Neil Robertson (910) in fourth place with Judd Trump (958) chasing down John Higgins (967) for second spot.

New World Grand Prix champion Ronnie O'Sullivan (1240) remains over 250 centuries ahead of the rest before the world No. 1 begins his World Open campaign against world No. 98 Alfie Burden on Tuesday evening in Barnsley.

O'Sullivan lifted his fourth major title of the season with a 10-7 win over Trump at the World Grand Prix on Sunday after claiming the Shanghai Masters, UK Championship and Masters in a memorable campaign.

Meanwhile, Robertson found some of his best form to advance to the finals venue with a 5-0 drubbing of Victor Sarkis that saw the Australian run in 99, 57, 66, 74 and 121.

The 2010 world champion failed to win a major trophy in 2023 for the first time since 2005 and has work to do to protect his world top-16 spot this season after a series of early defeats in the ranking tournaments he has entered so far.

He has dropped to 31 in the provisional rankings for the end of the season, and is perched at a lowly 91st on the one-year list.

Elsewhere, Ukraine teenager Iulian Boiko benefited from Mark Williams' decision to withdraw from the tournament as he hit knocks of 83 and 82 in a 5-1 win over women's world champion Baipat Siripaporn.

Three-time ranking event winner Ricky Walden ran in 101, 95 and 66 in a 5-0 whitewash win over Peng Yisong, while Dominic Dale held off Marco Fu with a 5-3 win over the Hong Kong player, who recovered from trailing 4-1 with breaks of 139 and 86 before Dale claimed the eighth frame to secure his flight to China.

Former British Open champion Ryan Day trailed Andrew Higginson 4-1, but won the final four frames to complete a 5-4 triumph.