<p>Mark Selby won a fourth world snooker title as he held off a stirring fightback from Shaun Murphy to win 18-15 in front of a capacity crowd at the Crucible. Selby punched the air after sinking the final black under immense pressure to join John Higgins as a four-time world champ.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Two-year struggle</h2>
<p>Selby, 37, had endured a torrid time after winning his previous crown in 2017, crashing out in the first round as defending champion and surrendering his status as World No. 1 after going over two-and-a-half years without a British-based ranking title.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Selby strode out for the final session with a 14-11 advantage, but well aware of the danger posed by Murphy, who had roared into the final in the kind of free-flowing form that evoked memories of his charge to the title as a fresh-faced qualifier in 2005.</p>
<p>After Selby moved to within one frame of victory, Murphy produced back-to-back centuries to set up a nervy finale. He came close to taking another after Selby broke down on a break of 38 in the next, but a difficult red down the cushion proved a step too far, and Selby duly cleared up. &ldquo;Absolutely incredible. Every time you get to a world final you always try your hardest because it&rsquo;s such a tough tournament to get there and you never know if it&rsquo;s going to be your last or not,&rdquo; said Selby.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>&lsquo;Aiming to be No. 1 again&rsquo;</h2>
<p>&ldquo;A few years ago I had some really, really dark days and times were tough, obviously all the family will understand what I&rsquo;m going through, so this has been a special one.&rdquo; Selby&rsquo;s win moved him back up to No. 2 in the world rankings. &ldquo;My aim is to try and get back to number one,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Murphy paid tribute to the champion, telling the BBC: &ldquo;He&rsquo;s just super-granite. Unfortunately, for me I&rsquo;ve known him since we were nine years of age and he&rsquo;s always been the same.&rdquo;</p>
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British cueist beats compatriot Shaun Murphy to win fourth World Snooker title at the Crucible 

Mark Selby wins his world snooker title

Two-year struggle

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