Selby fights back

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Selby looked as if he faced a hopeless situation when he trailed 12-4 overnight in the best of 35 encounter - a deficit from which no-one has recovered to win in the history of the tournament.

But qualifier Selby was in inspired form with some deadly potting while a shell-shocked Higgins struggled for any sort of rhythm, letting his lead slip to 12-8.

Selby had to make early inroads into Higgins' lead to have any chance of putting the 1998 champion under pressure - and he made an encouraging start.

A run of 34 to the final yellow secured the opening frame and then the 23-year-old made an impressive 109 break in the next to reduce the gap to 12-6.

It was his 12th century of the tournament - more than anyone else - and took the overall tally for the fortnight to 67, only one off the record total set in 2002.

Selby seemed in a relaxed frame of mind and was seen joking and laughing with members of the audience which included a sizeable following from his native Leicester.

His revival continued in the next frame with a decisive run of 65 and looked a completely different player to the one who appeared drained yesterday after his last-frame wins over Ali Carter and Shaun Murphy.

He was first amongst the balls in the final frame before the interval and compiled 62 before missing a red into the right middle pocket. But a superb long red set him on the way to the point where Higgins needed snookers - and conceded.

It was in contrast to the opening day when Higgins had produced top notch matchplay snooker and was in total command after winning four frames in a row.