A lack of confidence isn’t something you’d associate with the runaway world number one and a player who has won three of the last four World Championship titles.
But after narrowly edging past Jimmy Robertson in the opening round of the World Grand Prix, Mark Selby was only too happy to discuss his current lack of form.
"I was very poor really. It's probably just come from a little bit of doubt because I've had a few losses early doors in tournaments,” he said.
“It doesn't matter what you've achieved if you keep getting beat that confidence is going to go sooner or later."
There seems to be this overriding expectation within the snooker world at the moment that despite Selby scarcely reaching the heights of his top form this season, he will without doubt be back firing on all cylinders when we get to The Crucible in April. After all, he is the master of the longer-format matches.
But the clock is ticking and the countdown is on and as yet the tide has not turned for Selby. He was way off his best in dispatching of Robertson 4-3 in Preston to such an extent that Jimmy may class this contest as a good chance missed.
Selby came into this event as number six on the one-year ranking list, but largely aided by his £150,000 top prize at the International Championship. Aside from this win, the world champion world champion has not reached £50,000 in ranking event prize money for the season and would be some way down the pecking order had he not produced the goods in Daqing.
While his ability to produce this kind of performance in amongst a season of disappointment proves he’s such a great winner, it’s also fair to say it’s saved his season so far.
Next up for Selby is another Robertson – this time Neil – who in stark contrast to himself is producing some of his best snooker at the moment. In many ways, this might be an ideal to tie for him. It might spark something in his own game and, if he can win the match, it should go some way to lifting his confidence levels.
