TORTURE RACKS

Selby's go-slow is painful viewing

- HECTOR NUNNS

MARK SELBY lived up to his 'Torturer' nickname day as he began to strangle the life out of Mark Allen at the Crucible.

Four-time world champion Selby will take a narrow 7-6 lead over player-of-the-season Allen into today's final two sessions of their semi-final in Sheffield.

The pair had to be hauled off three frames early after a grim go-slow afternoon, with spectators waiting to enter the building for the evening session featuring Si Jiahui and Luca Brecel.

BBC pundits Stephen Hendry, the seven-time champion, and another Crucible winner in Shaun Murphy did not hold back as the tournament director cut short the misery.

It means there could be up to 20 frames of this clash still to play.