Mark Selby cemented his status as one of snooker’s all-time greats by clinching the 2025 BetVictor Welsh Open title on February 16, 2025, with a commanding 9-6 victory over Stephen Maguire at Venue Cymru in Llandudno, Wales. This triumph, his second Welsh Open crown following his 2008 win, marked his 24th career ranking title and underscored a stellar season for the 41-year-old from Leicester. With a tournament-defining performance that included a crucial late surge, Selby walked away with the £100,000 top prize and the Ray Reardon Trophy, honoring the late Welsh legend.
Road to the Final Clash:
Selby’s journey to the Welsh Open final was a testament to his tenacity and match-playing prowess. The tournament, the 13th ranking event of the 2024-25 season and the final leg of the Home Nations Series, began for Selby with a 4-2 win over Haydon Pinhey in the last 64 on February 10. He followed this with a hard-fought 4-3 victory over Elliot Slessor in the last 32, a match that went to a deciding frame in the early hours of February 12.
In the last 16 on February 13, Selby whitewashed Welshman Jamie Jones 4-0, showcasing his dominance. The quarter-final against John Higgins on February 14 was a grueling five-hour battle, ending in a 5-4 win for Selby after a tense deciding frame—his first Welsh Open semi-final since 2012. The semi-final on February 15 saw him rally from 3-2 down to beat Luca Brecel 6-3, winning the last four frames with breaks of 60, 67, and 74, securing his spot in the final against Stephen Maguire.
The Decisive Final Encounter:
The best-of-17 final against Maguire was a rollercoaster of momentum shifts. The afternoon session ended level at 4-4, with Selby taking an early 2-0 lead before Maguire fought back with a 60 break and leveled the score multiple times. The evening session saw the match tied at 6-6 after Maguire’s brilliant 71 clearance in the 12th frame, a moment that could have tilted the contest in his favor.
However, after the mid-session interval, Selby found another gear. He reeled off three consecutive frames—winning the 13th with a 60 break, the 14th with a total clearance of 128 (the final’s only century), and the 15th 67-8—leaving Maguire scoreless for two frames and sealing the victory. Selby never trailed in the match, a statistic that highlighted his control despite Maguire’s resilience. Post-match, Selby praised Maguire’s clearance, saying, “That could have been a turning point, but I managed to get ahead again,” while noting the importance of luck at key moments.
Evaluating Selby’s Excellence:
Selby’s performance throughout the tournament was a blend of grit and precision. His ability to win scrappy frames—often from deficits of 40 or 50 points, as he noted—was pivotal. Against Maguire, his tactical acumen shone in the final stages, where he capitalized on opportunities and shut down his opponent’s scoring chances. The 128 break in frame 14 was a highlight, but his consistency in clutch moments defined the win.
This season has seen Selby rediscover his top form, with earlier victories at the Unibet British Open in September 2024 and the BetVictor Championship League Invitational in early February 2025. His Welsh Open triumph marked the first time since the 2020-21 season that he’s won three ranking titles in a single campaign, a feat that places him among the season’s elite alongside Judd Trump and Kyren Wilson.
Meaning of the Milestone:
Selby’s second Welsh Open title ties him with Neil Robertson at 24 ranking titles, fifth on the all-time list behind Ronnie O’Sullivan (41), Stephen Hendry (36), John Higgins (31), and Judd Trump (30). The £100,000 prize boosted his season earnings, moving him to third in the Johnstone’s Paint World Rankings behind Trump and Wilson, and fourth on the One-Year Ranking list. The win also secured him a spot in the 2025 Champion of Champions.
Beyond the numbers, this victory was a personal triumph. After a challenging 2023-24 season where he admitted to struggling mentally and physically, Selby declared himself “in a much better place” in 2025. His enjoyment of the game was evident, as was his determination to keep improving, stating, “There are a few parts of my game I can still get better at.”
Horizon Ahead:
At 41, Selby shows no signs of slowing down. This win positions him as a frontrunner for the World Championship in April 2025, where he’ll aim for a fifth Crucible title. His current form—three titles in five months—suggests he could dominate the spring majors. The victory also keeps him in contention for additional ranking events, with pundits like Jimmy White calling him a “gladiator” for his ability to regroup and strike at critical moments.
For snooker, Selby’s success adds depth to a competitive season. His rivalry with players like Maguire, who reached his first ranking final since 2020, promises more thrilling encounters. Maguire, despite the loss, earned £45,000 and climbed to 23rd on the One-Year list, securing a World Grand Prix spot.
Mark Selby’s 2025 BetVictor Welsh Open win was a masterclass in resilience and skill. From his marathon quarter-final to the decisive final frames against Stephen Maguire, he proved why he remains a snooker titan. Lifting the Ray Reardon Trophy for the second time, Selby not only honored a Welsh icon but also reaffirmed his own legacy. As he heads into the rest of 2025, fans and foes alike will watch closely to see if “The Jester” can keep the crown in his court.
