Last Updated: 07/12/25 11:58pm
Mark Selby withstood a determined fightback from world No 1 Judd Trump to claim his third UK Championship title at the Barbican Centre in York — his first since 2016.
Selby raced to a 5-0 lead in the opening session, compiling five consecutive half-centuries or better, and looked to be in complete control. Trump, however, twice clawed the match back to a single-frame deficit and threatened to deny Selby a long-awaited ‘triple crown’ return. The 42-year-old held his nerve to complete a 10-8 victory, a result that underlines his return to form after several difficult seasons.
“It’s amazing to win another ‘triple crown’ – they’re not easy to win and it took me nine years to get back here (as UK champion),” Selby said. “I set my targets out every year to try and win one of these three tournaments. The other tournaments are great, but I think you’re judged by these ‘triple crown’ events, so I’m chuffed to get another one.”
Selby had been open about his struggles with depression after winning his fourth world title in 2021 and admitted he even considered retirement after his 2024 Crucible loss to Joe O’Connor. He celebrated with his wife Vikki Layton and daughter Sofia — who was just two when he last won this title.
Trump, the defending champion, had progressed smoothly to the final but was forced into a rearguard as Selby’s early barrage took hold. Trump responded with heavy scoring of his own, producing two centuries — 105 and 124 — and a 74 and 75 in the match, while Selby also delivered a cool 91 in the middle of the contest.
After the interval Selby led 6-2, but Trump fought back to 7-4 following a dramatic 11th frame that featured a moment of sportsmanship. Trump disputed referee Olivier Marteel’s award of a free ball in Selby’s favour; Selby accepted the protest, the balls were replaced to their original position, and Trump then fortuitously fluked the last red to win the frame.
Trump continued his resurgence, narrowing the gap to 8-6 with high breaks, and then to 8-7 after Selby missed a couple of blacks from their spots. Trump pulled to 9-8 when Selby jarred a simple red, making for a nervy finish. Selby missed a golden chance to clear in the 17th frame but steadied himself with a crucial 69 in the decider to seal the title.
“Mark was brilliant at the start and I think I just dragged him down towards the end,” Trump said. “I was in a similar position last year and it’s hard to get over the line in these finals. (But) Mark was the best player all week, and he thoroughly deserved his win.”
Selby’s victory marks a return to the upper echelons of the sport after a four-year stretch during which a return to his dominant best had seemed uncertain. He reiterated that he wouldn’t still be playing if he didn’t love it, and said at times last year that that had nearly not been the case — but this week in York showed he is back and enjoying the game again.