Mark Selby believes the strength and depth of the World Snooker Tour is "as tough as it's ever been"

Four-time World Champion Selby was speaking with the World Snooker Tour following his 4-1 victory over Liam Highfield in round three of the 2025 English Open on Monday.

Highfield - who had already won two matches at the Brentwood Centre in recent days - deposited the opening frame with a 92 break, but Selby strung together the next four along with runs of 52, 101 and 103 to set up a last 32 tie with reigning Scottish Open champion Lei Peifan.

Selby has had a solid start to the new season. He whitewashed Shaun Murphy and then defeated world number one Judd Trump at the Shanghai Masters before bowing out to Ali Carter, 10-8, in the semi-finals.

He has since lost in the last 16 of both the Saudi Arabia Masters and Wuhan Open, respectively eliminated by Neil Robertson and Mark Williams only by a couple of frames on each occasion.

Looking ahead, Selby was asked by WST about his tough upcoming assignment with Lei in Essex on Wednesday. The world number nine said: “I don't think there's any easy matches now. I think the tour’s strength in depth as tough as it's ever been.

“I think the top of the game is not a huge difference when you look back at like the Hendrys, and the Ronnies, and Williams when he was at his peak, John when he was at his peak back in the day.

“I don't think there's a massive difference at the top but the strength in depth down the ladder I think is incredibly different.”

“The mental health is always going to be there up and down but I'm managing to deal with that better at the moment”

The English Open holds very fond memories for Selby, who has lifted The Steve Davis Trophy twice in his illustrious career - in 2019 and 2022.

The last six editions of the Home Nations Series event have been won by just three players who have collected two titles each; the other two are Trump (2020, 2023) and Robertson (2021, 2024). All three are set for action this week, all aiming to complete the hat-trick first.

Selby’s final victory over Luca Brecel in 2022 was particularly poignant for the Englishman as it came after speaking out about his mental health issues and a 19-month wait for a ranking title.

Reflecting back on that triumph - the first time the tournament had been held at the Brentwood Centre - Selby acknowledged how important it was in the context of his career: “Yeah, for sure, because I mean I'd sort of gone through the mill before that, hence obviously speaking out like I did.

“And then you know, obviously you doubt yourself because you've not winning. It's been a while and then you think 'are you ever going to win anything again’?

“It was quite an emotional time with everything, going through it like all the second guessing myself and obviously the mental health what I was going through as well.

“So it was tough you know, and to win that sort of put the demons to bed about second guessing myself 'can I win another tournament?' But obviously the mental health is always going to be there up and down but I'm managing to deal with that better at the moment.”

Elsewhere during the late afternoon session on Monday, the remaining plaudits all went to Chinese players.

Lei dismissed Ryan Day, 4-1, meanwhile Pang Junxu ousted Daniel Wells, 4-3.

At this event last year, Wu Yize made his maiden ranking event final where he rallied against Robertson before eventually losing 9-7.

The 21-year-old can still go on another deep run as he saw off compatriot He Guoqiang, 4-1.

Visit our 2025 English Open tournament information centre here for the draw, results, and details on the format, schedule, prize money, and how to watch.