to claim a sixth world title in Sheffield and the manner in which he gunned down Ding Junhui in the final of the World Grand Prix was another reminder of why he remains the dominant force in the game. Four ranking titles to his name already this year, he looked set to add to that haul when breezing through the early rounds of the Welsh Open. However, another busy period of snooker appeared to catch up with him as he was defeated by John Higgins in the quarter-finals and at 42 years of the age, one has to wonder whether a 17-day slog in Sheffield truly plays to his strengths nowadays. With cue in hand, he remains the King of the green baize but Cardiff proves that he is beatable and, as was the case last year, he might just run out of steam late in the piece.

Mark Selby needs to find his best, and quickly

While the Crucible marathon might not be what Ronnie O’Sullivan wants now, it brings out the very best in Mark Selby. The Jester from Leicester has won three of the last four renewals of snooker’s blue ribband and loves the longer matches here, grinding down his opposition with his impeccable safety game and finding his best form when the pressure levels are at their greatest. However, the current campaign has been something of a disappointment for Selby, considering his usually high standards. A freak injury to his toe hampered him at the beginning of the season but victory in the International Championship in China, his only title so far this term, is scant reward for a player of his supreme class. A semi-finals run in the World Grand Prix appeared to signal a return to his best form but he crashed out to Liang Wenbo in the last 64 in Cardiff, again highlighting his recent struggles, and he desperately needs to find some consistency in the next few weeks if the about him can be taken with confidence.

Ding Junhui might be peaking at the right time

A semi-finalist at the Crucible last season, Ding seems destined to win the big one at some point and has the whole of China willing him on as he bids to do it. Last year’s run appeared to be a turning point for Ding - he beat his idol Ronnie O’Sullivan on the quarter-finals - and only an inspired Mark Selby stopped him from reaching consecutive Crucible finals. Sadly, just has been the case with Selby, his campaign this time around hasn’t gone to plan and he was blown away by O’Sullivan in the final of the World Grand Prix recently. That said, there were plenty of positives to be taken from his form that week with his impressive break building looking in good working order again. There is still more to be done but he might just be peaking at the right time and with slight doubts surrounding Selby and O’Sullivan, Ding might not get a better chance than this year. The isn’t to be sniffed at.