Why is selby not playing

I wouldn't want that. Until he gets himself through that, I don't know. It's something he needs to get over for him to move on. O'Sullivan's Sheffield success last summer was his first for seven years, and put him just one world title behind Stephen Hendry in the standings. The year-old goes into this year's tournament, which starts on Saturday, as one of the fancied players again. But O'Sullivan believes Judd Trump is a worthy favourite, and also thinks Neil Robertson's policy of giving some events during the season a miss might work in his favour for the day marathon.

Asked if it was fair that bookmakers rated Trump as the most likely winner, O'Sullivan said: "Absolutely. How can you go against what he's done in the last two-and-a-half years? He's been by far the best player. He wins a lot of events. Will he go to Sheffield having shot his bolt if you like, in a way? Someone like Robertson, who is equally as good, he's probably plotted his season around trying to be ready for Sheffield.

He's probably the best all-round player in the game, I would say he's taken over from John Higgins in that department. Has he timed his run for the line better? Who knows? These are all the exciting permutations. Or do you go for a guy like Trump who says, do you know what, I'm going to play every week, I don't care what tournament I'm in, I just want to play, I just want to win.

Will that come through as a strength? Judd is more the explosive player, but then he can go missing a bit. Robertson is much more methodical, he plays a much more consistent kind of style.

Does he do it on purpose or what? Everyone knows there was one shot which took three minutes. I thought he had more respect but to celebrate before game ball, well I lost a bit of respect. It has put a sour taste in the mouth.

Obviously you want to go out there and play well, and if you play well you are entertaining the crowd anyway. Looks to be fully focussed on the business at hand. Needs two more frames to secure his progress. Selby well over the line in the second frame. If Trump was impressive in his opening victory, Selby certainly not too rusty himself.

A man on a mission here and has chance of a century as the break reaches Selby with an immaculate red down a side cushion after a safety shot was not overly obvious. That was more like vintage Ronnie O'Sullivan. Stunning stuff from the world champion and he is back among the balls.

Look at this little gem from Trump. Fair to say, he is going to take some stopping this week after that victory over Matt Selt. Selby securing the first frame in some style. A lovely break of 90 gives him the first frame of the day after a few early errors from both men. Selby destroyed David Gilbert to win this tournament two years ago and has chance to score a few points here.

Both men missing easy blacks early on, but suddenly the world champion among the balls after a poor safety shot by Lam. A win for Barry Hawkins over the women's world champion Reanne Evans. Breaks of , 72 and 57 enough for the world number 14 to seal his progress to the last 64 and a meeting with Jak Jones. And we are off and running with the Jester in action. Selby clear on head-to-head frames and up against the Leeds potter Sanderson Lam. The world champion will be looking to build on that formidable record.

Trump tells Eurosport why world number five Kyren Wilson can't guarantee his place on main TV tables. You have to win the World Championship and be world number one. You have to earn it. Trump has apparently played 71 matches in the Home Nations and won 65 of them over the best of seven frames. Not a bad record that. Latest scores for you elsewhere on this opening day in Milton Keynes. Barry Hawkins made a break in the second frame against Reanne Evans.

Not too shabby from the former world finalist. Trump will face former European Masters champion Jimmy Robertson in the last Knocks of 90, 53, 73 and from the world number one.

One suspects he will take some beating this week as he defends the title. Selt was pretty good too with an 89 of his own, but just tough competing against a bloke who is clearly relishing the chance to play some proper attacking snooker. This has been a superb match, but Trump just too good. A brilliant century break of to finish.

Magical from Trump. Selt with another early chance, but can't cash in. Trump will look to put this match to bed here and now as the break reaches 63 and counting. A lovely break from Selt there. In the 80s and he is finally on the board. Needs another three like that if possible. Big ask, but he is still punching. Break moves to 58 from Selt. A lot more like his natural level of ability as Trump is forced to play the rare role of onlooker.

Chance to get one on the board following a good safety shot early on with Trump missing from distance. Selt with another early chance in the fourth frame.

Really needs to make a sizable contribution here. This really is the measure of a champion talent. He has only missed one ball in three frames here as he puts the frame to bed as quickly as you like with a 73 break. Out for another toilet break needing one more frame to reach the last Another fantastic long red from Trump to give him control of the table. Rolls up behind brown, but that is a measure of proper technique working close to perfection.

Mistake from Selt as he leaves a red to left middle and this could be more bad news for his opponent. Selt really needs a response here. Huge frame coming up for his hopes of avoiding an early exit in deepest Buckinghamshire. Stunning piece of cueing from Trump to slot the penultimate red to a middle pocket and that really should be that. And quickly is as the world number one finishes up to the blue. Selt being punished for lack of power punching when it matters.

School of hard knocks this. Trump leads Looks ominously good among the balls. Selt attempts to play a telling safety with two reds left on the table, but has managed to knock the yellow safe. That is not good news for his hopes with Trump over 20 points clear. A break of 53 from Trump. Misses a tricky red. Tough cueing along the top cushion and Selt has been handed an unlikely reprieve.

Can he claw his way back into this frame? Glorious opening red from Trump to end the brief tactical joust. Rolls a blue into the right middle bag. Selt will have to suffer here as these could have been his. What will Trump make here? Out of position on That is an abrupt end to a decent scoring chance. Should be making more than 17 there. Will that come back to haunt the world number 34? He will hope not. Back to a safety exchange as both men jostle for position.

Half-chance for Selt. Rolls the red in dead weight from longish range. That is superb stuff that. Really is. Comes out on the black and he is in among the balls. Important for Selt to score here as a black struggles in with the break on A 90 break from Trump. Classy, classy stuff. Selt having a few shots to get a feel for the table, but not much more than that.

The Juddernaut is looking sharp in his latest title quest. Nice opening red from Trump and the world number one is off and running. Among the balls, looking as smooth as Bristol Cream and this should really be the opening frame in the bag. Just doing what he usually does: potting balls for fun. All the reds in the open. Plenty of options. Tenth meeting of these two with Trump winning seven of their past nine encounters.

No question the world champion starts a strong favourite in this one. Trump defeated Neil Robertson in last year's final behind closed doors in Milton Keynes. Of course, fans are allowed back in today at the Marshall Arena.

Trump defeated Selt in their last meeting in the semi-final of the Gibraltar Open earlier this year. Almost ready to go with this one.

Remember first to four frames reaches the last Easy to forget Trump also reached the final of this event in , losing to to Liang Wenbo. Bit of early news from the morning matches at the English Open and it is a shock defeat for former UK champion Stephen Maguire , who has lost in the first round to Mark King. The Scotsman made breaks of 86, 51 and 68, but lost the final frame to the former Northern Ireland Open winner. Ding Junhui had no such issues as he completed a win over Andrew Pagett while Kyren Wilson was comfortable in a victory against Noppon Saengkhan.

Snooker returns to a familiar setting this week as the English Open takes centre-stage in Milton Keynes and Monday's action sees a wonderful line up of big names. World champion Mark Selby is also in action as he faces Sanderson Lam.