Mark Selby's English Open final win Luca Brecel had to be interrupted after security were called upon to evict a rowdy spectator.
Selby was leading 7-5 and 53-20 as he looked to wrap up another frame, but suddenly his head turned away from the table and towards the crowd after a fan shouted out. The same perpetrator had previously been warned by the match referee, but had clearly decided to ignore the official.
As fellow crowd members reacted angrily, referee Tatiana Woollaston gave a clear request to security. “Can you please get him out?” she asked.
“Unfortunately that gentleman's going to have to leave, isn’t he,” added Eurosport’s Dave Hendon on commentary. He then observed “Security are moving in," as the remaining spectators cheered their approval.
“I think it's quite a popular decision with the crowd by the looks of things. It’s a shame because event has been so well supported. By the sounds of it, not many people are going to miss him.”
Selby regathered his composure after incident, taking the frame to move into a commanding 8-5 lead. His Belgian opponent did pull one back but 'The Jester from Lester' then duly wrapped up the match, and the title, prevailing 9-6.
Small wonder perhaps, that Selby was able to regain his composure in the Brentwood Centre. It isn't the only disruption he's has to face in his victorious campaign, after the heating broke in his first round clash with Noppon Saengkham.
The 39-year-old was delivered a string of hot drinks to help keep his hands warm, and at one point jokingly asking the crowd for a hot water bottle .The four-time world champion kept warm enough to prevail though, eventually winning the tournament for the second time.
It meant a cheque for £80,000 and elevation to No 2 in the world. It also ended a wait of 19 months for a title for Selby, who has battled mental health problems this year.
