2023 World Snooker Championship final day 2 live score, updates, highlights for Mark Selby vs. Luca Brecel

Mark Selby and Luca Brecel will face each other for snooker’s greatest prize when they contest the final of the 2023 World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre.

Following 15 days of entertainment and drama in Sheffield, 32 players have been whittled down to just two: four-time champion Selby, and maiden-finalist Brecel.

The showpiece match will be played across two days and four sessions, with the first player to 18 frames winning the title, trophy and £500,000. 

Englishman Selby will be looking to make it five world titles in just 10 years, while Belgian Brecel —who prior to this year had never won a match at the Crucible in five attempts — is the first player from mainland Europe to appear in the final. Should he win it, he would be the fourth non-British champion in the modern era.

What happened on day one of the 2023 World Snooker Championship Final?

The opening day of the final was a memorable one for so many reasons.

With his brand of free-flowing and attacking snooker, 28-year-old Brecel produced several expertly crafted breaks as he led Selby throughout the day – holding an advantage of four frames on four occasions.

However – so typical of the matchplay genius that he is – Selby held in there and ended the day just one behind. He claimed the final three frames of the day, a run which included a piece of history in frame 16 when he constructed the first-ever 147 maximum break in a world championship final.

WATCH: World Snooker Championship final live on DAZN in the United States

2023 World Snooker Championship final score

2023 World Snooker Championship final frame-by-frame updates

2.58pm: Frame 22 – Selby 86-35 Brecel | Selby pulls one back on resumption

A bit of a dramatic frame as the players return from their mid-session interval.

Selby gets the start he wanted, making a break of 63 to leave his opponent needing a snooker.

However, Brecel showed the patient side to his game as he obtained the snooker and required penalty points to put the frame right back in the balance.

Selby, though, was able to eventually cross the line – after a scare – to reduce the gap to four.

2.13pm: Frame 21 – Selby 0-141 Brecel | Brecel five ahead and five away

Oh Luca, this is very special indeed – three centuries in four frames!

Brecel completes a sensational mini-session whitewash, capatilising on a Selby miss early on and rattling in a 141 total clearance.

This is computer snooker from the three-time ranking event winner, and for the first time in the match he is five clear.

Just a reminder, the 28-year-old is playing in his first world final, and prior to this year’s event had never won a single match at the Crucible Theatre.

Has Selby got a response when the players return after their mid-session interval?

The Belgian Bullet had made zero centuries in the final at the start of the session.

💯 He now has made three in four frames! 🤯@WeAreWST | #WorldSnookerChampionship pic.twitter.com/jolHxzXIm6

— Eurosport (@eurosport) May 1, 2023

2.01pm: Frame 20 – Selby 35-101 Brecel | Brecel back to four ahead with century

Selby pots a roaring long red to open and then immediately lays a snooker. It bares fruits, as Brecel leaves his opponent a scoring opportunity when trying to escape.

The four-time champion makes 30, but the break ends there as he misses a tricky red into a middle pocket after he tried to develop the balls.

Brecel fully punishes with a brilliant counter attack, producing a clearance of 101 – his second century in three frames.

Some of the Belgian’s potting in this match – and Championship – have been off the charts. Exceptional stuff here!

For the fifth time in the match, Brecel is four clear of his opponent.

“Wonderfully unconventional!” 😍

𝗔𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 for Luca Brecel as his lead in the final extends to four frames! 💯@WeAreWST | #WorldSnookerChampionship pic.twitter.com/yqfSnGVvEj

— Eurosport (@eurosport) May 1, 2023

1.41pm: Frame 19 – Selby 0-73 Brecel | The maiden finalist goes three clear again

Exactly what the doctor ordered for Brecel, this, as he moves 11-8 in front.

Selby attempted a long red near the start of the frame, but it rattled in the jaws and stayed over the pocket. Brecel went on to score 43, but fell out of position.

After a few exchanges – where he showed his matchplay acumen – Brecel nailed a beautiful long red and did enough to put another frame on the board.

1.27pm: Frame 18 – Selby 24-113 Brecel | Brecel first to double figures

Just the start that Luca Brecel wanted after his opponent’s run last night!

Mark Selby was in first, but whilst on a break of 24 he overcut a red. Brecel stepped up to make a brilliant 113 clearance to claim the frame.

The Belgian leads 10-8.

Luca Brecel remains 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 at the start of the session as he takes frame 18 with a century clearance! 💯@WeAreWST | #WorldSnookerChampionship pic.twitter.com/O3UuF3OCpc

— Eurosport (@eurosport) May 1, 2023

1.13pm: Mark Selby breaks off and the third session of the 2023 World Snooker Championship final is underway!

12.30pm, 30 mins to go: Welcome to The Sporting News’ live coverage of the second and last day of the 2023 World Snooker Championship final between Mark Selby and Luca Brecel!

We are just half an hour away from the start of the third session — what drama are we in for today?

2023 World Snooker Championship final betting odds

It comes as no surprise that Mark Selby began the match as the favourite with bookmakers. The ‘Jester from Leicester’ was priced 4/9 with SkyBet to claim victory at the Crucible before a ball was struck, but going into the second day a frame behind, his odds have lengthened slightly to 8/15, with Brecel at 11/8.

In terms of their career head-to-head record, they have met 11 times in professional competition. Selby has the upper hand, winning eight of those, including the previous six.

Luca Brecel: My story so far 🎥🇧🇪

Get to know more about The Belgian Bullet and his journey ✨@WeAreWST | #CazooWorldChampionship pic.twitter.com/Xk1E8uvXjn

— Eurosport (@eurosport) April 28, 2023

Their most recent meeting came back in December when Selby defeated Brecel 9-6 in the final of the 2022 English Open.

Brecel’s last victory against Selby came in the 2017 Champion of Champions quarter-finals (6-4). 

2023 World Snooker Championship final TV channel