2026 British Open Final: Mark Selby vs Jak Jones – control meets belief in a 19-frame showdown

One detail in the pre-match analysis stands out: Mark Selby once beat Jak Jones 10-2 in the first round of the 2026 World Championship. Two years later, they meet again in the 2026 British Open final at Centaur, Cheltenham. The format is best of 19 frames, and the champion will collect £100,000. Selby, 43, arrives as the clear favourite after winning the China Open. Jones, 33 and ranked 31st, comes in as the underdog, but his first ranking title at the Championship League has given him real momentum. Selby's famous style, often called the dark arts of the baize, relies on position play, safety and patience. Jones prefers to make the game difficult, using bursts of scoring to break the rhythm of his opponent. Historical head-to-head numbers favour Selby: Jones has won only one of their eight meetings. Yet the final may be decided in the opening frames, especially if Selby struggles with the long journey back from China. If Jones can take an early lead, the match could become genuinely uncomfortable for the veteran. If not, Selby will slowly tighten his grip and control the table. This is not merely another ranking final; it is a test of whether a confident challenger can outlast a proven master of long matches.