Mark SelbyMark Selby

Mark Selby knows he has to not only defeat 31 other players vying to cause an upset at the BetFred World Snooker Championship but he must also conquer the ‘Curse of the Crucible’.

The 31-year-old beat Ronnie O’Sullivan to win the title last year and goes into the 2015 tournament in good form having sealed the China Open this month.

With the tournament getting under way on Saturday, Selby has to re-write history as he looked to break the so-called curse – with no first-time champion ever able to successfully defend the crown the next year.

The run goes all the way back to when the event first switched to Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre in 1977.

“The record speaks for itself,” the world number one said.

“It is in the back of my mind, you can’t take that away. I feel I’m confident enough and have just won my last tournament so I feel ready to defend it.

“Just to win it once as I did last year was a fantastic achievement for me but to win it twice and break the curse would be outstanding.”

Names such as Steve Davis, Dennis Taylor, Stephen Hendry, John Higgins and Ronnie O’Sullivan have all failed in their attempt to retain the title following their maiden win and Selby believes you become a marked man once you have made an impact.

“Just to win it one time is hard enough and to go there and try and defend it is twice as hard,” he said.

“Now I’m trying to make a name for myself, I have noticed that players are raising their game against you because you are seen as more of a scalp than you were five or six years ago.”

O’Sullivan recently said prize money in the game was dwindling and hit out at Barry Hearn, chairman of World Snooker, who scoffed at the claims in a press conference ahead of the championship – saying the five-time winner was sometimes “off with the fairies”.

Selby is used to O’Sullivan being vocal but still believes the 39-year-old is favourite for this year’s crown.

“He comes out with these little quotes now and again,” Selby added.

“Ronnie is Ronnie. I may be the defending champion but he will still probably go there as the favourite.”

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