Betfred 2017 World Snooker Championships- Final, Day 1

Day 16 of 17 of the Betfred 2017 World Snooker Championships and it's defending champion and two-time winner Mark Selby up against four-time winner John Higgins.

A shot of the Crucible theatre, Sheffield early on in the day - no-one else in the auditorium or on the floor.

 Game-time approaches and the trophy is placed on the table - ready for the TV link

 Steve Davis doing a piece to camera before the players walk out

 First it is John Higgins (with Iron Maiden drummer Nico McBrain in the background)

 Followed by World #1, Mark Selby

 Referee Jan Verhaas carefully places the trophy for the traditional handshake shot

In the first frame Mark Selby took early control beofre John higgins brought it back to 1-1

Then, at the start of the third frame there was an animated discussion between the two players about the table.

World Snooker Championship - Mark Selby beats Ding Junhui

World number one Mark Selby from England beat China's Ding Junhui 18-14 at the Crucible Theatre to win his second World Championship title.  

Selby lead 14-11 going into the final session in the best-of-35 match.  Ding, bidding to become the first Asian player to win the world title, claimed three frames in a row to take it to 16-14.

But Selby pulled out the stops and made it a double celebration for Leicester on the night.

 Mark Selby waves to his family after winning the 32nd and deciding frame.

 Ding Junhui receives the silver medal from Fred Done, watched by Steve Davis.

 Mark Selby with the trophy and confetti.

 Fred Done, Mark Selby and Steve Davis.

 Mark Selby and family.

Action from the first frame Ding Junhui vs Alan McManus

It's the semi-finals of the World Snooker Championships and this is the first frame in the match between China's Ding Junhui, hoping to become the first Chinese player to reach the final, and Alan McManus from Scotland - who at 45 is the oldest player to reach a Crucible semi-final since Ray Reardon in 1985.

 Steve Davis ready for the warm-up.

 Ding Junhui and Alan McManus.

 Alan McManus breaks off.

 Ding Junhui plays down the table.

World Snooker qualifiers - update on some former champions

Peter Ebdon, champion in 2002, will miss out again on a return to Sheffield's Crucible this year after losing in the World Championship second qualifying round.  He lost 7-10 to Grimsby's Stuart Carrington

A view of the main hall at Ponds Forge with its 11 tables

Six-time finalist Jimmy White defeated James Wattana 10-3 in the first qualifying round to keep his dream of a Crucible return alive, but although he started 7-2 in his second-round match to Matthew Selt eventually lost 10-8.

Table 1, main hall Ponds Forge

Six-time World Champion Steve Davis beat Jamie Cope 10-9 on the last black in his first round qualifier.  He later bombed out 10-1 to Kurt Maflin after losing a one-sided morning session 8-1.   

Ken Doherty progressed again - after beating Lee Walker 10-6 he will next face Mark Davies.