Selby edges Zhang in deciding frame at English Open
Mark Selby won a tight contest against Zhang Anda, taking the final frame on the black to advance. He will next face Kyren Wilson in the last 16. Judd Trump also progressed with a 4-1 victory.
Selby, ranked second globally, recovered from a 2-1 deficit to lead 3-2 before Zhang forced a decider with a century. The 43-year-old sealed the match with a 39-point clearance, winning the final frame on the black, just days after losing the British Open final.
Elsewhere, third-ranked Judd Trump advanced comfortably, while Kyren Wilson edged past Chang Bingyu. Oliver Lines, who upset the world number one earlier, squandered a 3-2 lead to lose 4-3. Shaun Murphy and Ali Carter recorded the round's only 4-0 victories.
The tight finishes in this tournament could heighten spectator engagement, as deciding frames and narrow margins often generate dramatic narratives that attract casual viewers. Selby's resilience may inspire older players, while the presence of rising Chinese players like Zhang Anda could broaden the sport's international appeal. These results may also influence rankings and seedings, potentially shaping future tournament brackets and the careers of emerging talents.