Mark Selby admires baize rival's 'guts' but subtly hints at possible change of tactic

Number two seed Selby moved through to the quarter-finals of the Players Championship on Tuesday night at the Telford International Centre following a 6-3 win over Lisowski.

In a clash of playing styles, 42-year-old Selby deposited the opening two frames before a run of 84 helped him take firm control at 3-0 up.

Lisowski responded and got a foothold in the tie as breaks of 63, 56 and 70 assisted him in claiming three of the next four frames to move to within only one of his opponent at 4-3 down.

However, Selby fashioned an effort of 136 in frame eight - his 60th ton of the season - before wrapping up victory in the next.

Arguably the most in-form player in the world right now, reigning UK Champion Selby sets up a last eight showdown with Mark Allen on Friday night; the Northern Irishman defeated Wu Yize 6-3 in his opening assignment of the week.

Speaking to the World Snooker Tour shortly after his win at the £500,000 world ranking event, Selby admitted that he is pleased with his current game.

"I feel like my game is in good shape. I'm really happy with my season so far, I played well in York and won the Champion of Champions as well. I've been consistent since then. I can't complain with how things are going" said the four-time world champion.

'The Jester from Leicester' has three titles to his name this season; last week he completed an unprecedented Championship League Invitational three-peat on home soil.

Hardened matchplayer Selby was also asked about the challenges of facing someone as attacking like Lisowski - an opponent who has a decent head-to-head record against him, and had defeated him in their last two encounters before meeting in Telford.

"It is tough playing Jack as you know he is going to be very attacking. If you leave a red sticking out he is going to go for it. Depending on what kind of mood he is in, he can pot anything on the table and blow you away. Luckily for me he wasn't in that frame of mind".

Lisowski realised a dream earlier this season when he won his maiden ranking event title at the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast.

The 34-year-old - who lost all six previous ranking event finals he'd previously appeared in - ousted close friend Judd Trump 9-8 in the final at the Waterfront Hall for the crown. The triumph was a particularly poignant and emotional one having come just months after the unexpected death of his father.

Since that big breakthrough, though, Lisowski's results have been disappointing, winning only two ranking event matches since the end of November.

When he is on it, Lisowski is one of the most enjoyable and destructive cueists in the world to watch, but is prone to making unforced errors.

In a sport where everyone craves consistency, one of the all-time greats Selby suggested that a back-up plan is required for days when things aren’t going to script, although it’s complicated for a free-flowing, instinctive player such as Lisowski.

"To be consistent I don't think you can have that kind of game. I think you need an all-round game. To play that way you need to be playing well and nobody does that every single day. I feel you need a back up game as well but at the same time if you tell Jack to tighten up he wouldn't be as dangerous. I wish I had the guts to go for some of the balls he does”.

To view the full draw, results, schedule, and other information from the 2026 Players Championship, visit here.