Selby Edges Zhang on Final Black to Reach English Open Last 16

Mark Selby advanced to the last 16 of the English Open after defeating Zhang Anda in a deciding frame in Brentwood. BBC Sport reported that the world number two completed a clearance of 39 and won the seventh frame 59-49 on the final black, sealing a 4-3 victory over the Chinese player.

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The match had shifted repeatedly before its close. Zhang established a 2-1 lead, but Selby recovered by winning the next two frames to move 3-2 ahead. Zhang then produced a century break to level the contest at 3-3 and force the decider, where Selby’s late clearance ultimately separated the players.

Selby, 43, will next play Kyren Wilson. Wilson also needed all seven frames in his second-round match, beating Wuhan Open champion Chang Bingyu 4-3. Their meeting is one of the confirmed last-16 fixtures at the tournament following Wednesday’s results. Selby entered the event after losing 10-6 to Jak Jones in Sunday’s British Open final, according to BBC Sport.

World number three Judd Trump progressed more comfortably, defeating Ashley Carty 4-1. Trump’s next opponent will be Anthony McGill, who recorded the same 4-1 scoreline against Fan Zhengyi. Barry Hawkins also won 4-1, overcoming Daniel Wells to arrange a meeting with Mark Williams. Williams secured his place with a deciding-frame 4-3 victory over Matthew Selt.

Elsewhere in the draw, Wu Yize defeated fellow Chinese player Xu Si 4-2. Wu will face Liam Davies, who advanced with a 4-1 win over Xinbo Wang. Shaun Murphy and Ali Carter recorded the only whitewashes of the round: Murphy beat Jamie Clarke 4-0, while Carter defeated Robbie Williams by the same margin.

Oliver Lines was unable to follow his first-round victory over world number one Zhao Xintong with another win. Lines fell 2-0 behind Yuan Sijun, recovered to lead 3-2, but then lost the final two frames and exited 4-3. His elimination completed a round featuring four deciding-frame matches among the results reported by BBC Sport, with Selby’s final-black success providing the tightest finish.