Mark Selby excited by new-look format at World Open

Selby reached the semi-finals of the World Championship this year

Mark Selby believes the quickfire best-of-five matches set-up at the World Open in Glasgow is good for the game.

The tournament runs from September 18 to 26 and involves a new-look format, including a random draw and short matches until the first-to-five final.

"There is added pressure when you are playing best of fives," the 27-year-old Leicester cueman said.

"It will definitely be an exciting event to watch. I'm all for the changes - it's great to try new formats."

Selby added: "I think we might see some players who are not familiar faces doing well in the event, because the short matches will give the lower-ranked players a better chance."

I've been consistent so far but the season is twice as long as it was before... and I hope I haven't peaked too early

Mark Selby

The former World Championship finalist has had a strong start to the season, winning a six-red tournament in Thailand as well as one of the new Star Xing Pai Players Tour Championship events.

"I've been consistent so far but the season is twice as long as it was before so there's a long way to go and I hope I haven't peaked too early," he said.

"Usually if you are in a purple patch it lasts for at least a few weeks, so it's good for me that there are a lot of tournaments coming up and hopefully I can keep playing well.

"Glasgow is a fantastic place to play snooker because the fans love the game there and when you think of all the great players to come from Scotland over the years you can see why."

A host of star names will be battling for the £100,000 top prize at the World Open including Ronnie O'Sullivan, Steve Davis, Jimmy White, world champion Neil Robertson and Scots Stephen Hendry, Stephen Maguire and Graeme Dott.