Mark Selby sets sights on third Masters victory

The Masters
Venue: Wembley Arena Date: 9-16 January
Coverage: Live action and highlights on BBC Two and BBC Red Button; updates and reports on BBC Radio 5 live and live coverage on this website; watch again on iPlayer; Full details of BBC coverage

Mark Selby wins Masters final frame thriller in 2010

Mark Selby is targeting a third Masters victory in four seasons when he lines up for snooker's most prestigious invitation tournament in January.

The Leicester cueman beat Ronnie O'Sullivan in this year's final and also triumphed over Stephen Lee on his Masters debut in 2008.

Selby's only loss in 12 Masters matches was to O'Sullivan in the 2009 final.

"I've got a good record in the event, I love playing at Wembley and it tends to bring the best out of me," Selby said.

"The atmosphere in the last two finals against Ronnie is the best I've ever played in.

"Ronnie beat me in 2009, then I beat him last year, so it would be great to meet him in the final for a third time.

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"The public might start to get bored of seeing us in the final every year, but I wouldn't mind."

This year's tournament at Wembley Arena starts on 9 January.

Getting his hands on silverware is a top priority for the "Jester from Leicester", who is only too aware of the competition he faces.

"The players are so sharp now because we've had a lot more tournaments, so the standard is higher than ever," Selby, 27, added.

"Plus you've got the likes of John Higgins and Mark Williams right back in form, as they showed at the UK Championship.

"John has proved time and time again what a class player he is, and I never doubted that he would be back winning tournaments.

"There's a very strong group of younger players like myself, Neil Robertson, Ding Junhui and Shaun Murphy who are all well capable of winning the big tournaments.

"I've been consistent this season and won a couple of smaller events but I would love to go all the way at the Masters."

Masters first round draw:

Mark King v Mark Selby (Sunday from 1330 GMT)

Ali Carter v Peter Ebdon (Sunday from 1900 GMT)

Mark Williams v Ding Junhui (Monday from 1330 GMT)

John Higgins v Graeme Dott (Monday from 1900 GMT)

Ronnie O'Sullivan v Mark Allen (Tuesday from 1300 GMT)

Stephen Maguire v Marco Fu (Tuesday from 1900 GMT)

Neil Robertson v Stephen Hendry (Wednesday from 1330 GMT)

Shaun Murphy v Jamie Cope (Wednesday from 1900 GMT)