Mark Selby feels opponents are consistently “over-performing” against him this season after he crashed out of the UK Championship against world number 66 Scott Donaldson. The world number one led 2-0 in York but Scotland’s Donaldson produced some fine play, including breaks of 90, 83 and 77 to turn things around and lead 5-3. An impressive and nerveless contribution of 84 saw out the win for Donaldson and sent Selby packing.
Selby’s bid for a third UK Championship title ended prematurely and the ‘Jester from Leicester’ says he has been the victim of opponents in fine form so far this season. “I did not do that much wrong,” said Selby. “Scott played absolutely unbelievable and to play like that on the main stage is remarkable. I have been saying all season, everyone seems to be over-performing against me. “Every time I had a chance, I needed to make something but every time he had a chance the balls were set for him. He took them and closed the match out really well.”
Donaldson only won his first match of the season against John Astley on Thursday and is relishing the chance to keep going in York after what was the biggest win of the 23-year-old’s career to date. “I am calm, it is another win for me, I do not care who I play,” said Donaldson. “I had good chances in the balls and I capitalised on them. “It has been well documented that I have not won a game this season, but I have had a lot of cue problems. I am happy with it now and it is playing better than before.” Last year’s runner-up Ronnie O’Sullivan is now favourite at 15/8 to win the UK Championship, with Selby’s conqueror Donaldson priced at 150/1 to go all the way.
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