The Scot had not been to a semi-final since the 2021 Welsh Open and has not won a ranking title since 2020, so to be back in the showpiece is a significant return to form, something Selby is glad to see from the six-time ranking event winner and former world number two.
Selby is back in action at the World Open in Yushan on Sunday against Liu Hongyu while Maguire will have to wait till the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong next month as he did not qualify for the World Open.
The 41-year-old now has the World Open, Grand Prix, Players Championship and Tour Championship coming up before the World Championship in Sheffield in April, where he will undoubtedly be one of the favourites to win the world title for a fifth time.
For Selby, he adds the Welsh Open to his wins at the British Open and Championship League Invitational this season and confidence will be high as he heads into huge tournaments.
Mark Selby is glad to see Stephen Maguire back in a ranking final after labelling his lack of success in recent years ‘an absolute tragedy, for how good he is.’.
