Jak Jones Beats Mark Selby 10-6 to Win British Open in Cheltenham
Jak Jones beat four-time world champion Mark Selby 10-6 in the British Open final in Cheltenham on 6 September 2026 to claim the second ranking title of his career (BBC Sport).
The 26-year-old Welshman, who turned professional at 16 in 2010 and twice dropped off the tour before establishing himself as a mainstay in 2016, now has two ranking titles in two months. He won his first at the Championship League in July 2026 (BBC Sport).
The final was closer than the scoreline suggests. Jones and Selby went into the evening session level at 4-4 after an afternoon in which Selby fired a break of 139 — a single visit to the table worth 139 points, the highest break of the match (BBC Sport).
Selby, contesting the 40th ranking final of his career (WST), pushed hard at the restart. Another century break drew him level at 5-5. Jones responded immediately, taking the next two frames to lead 7-5, and never let Selby back into touching distance.
Breaks of 53 and 62 in the closing frames put Jones one frame from victory at 9-6, and he closed it out to seal the title by a 10-6 margin (BBC Sport).
Jones gave his post-match reaction to Channel 5 after the win (BBC Sport).
His path to the final was every bit as demanding. He beat Judd Trump — one of the sport's dominant figures — 6-3 in the semi-final (WST). Selby's semi-final was a five-hour battle against Liam Highfield, which he won 6-3 (WST).
This is a player whose career has been anything but a straight line. Jones reached the 2024 World Championship final at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, where he was beaten by Kyren Wilson (BBC Sport). That run announced him at the top level. These two titles in quick succession suggest he is settling there.
For Selby, it is a 40th ranking final and another near miss. Few players in the modern era have built a more complete record. At 43, he remains a formidable opponent across the table, as five hours against Highfield and two centuries in the final made plain.
The British Open, held at Cheltenham's Centaur arena, is one of snooker's established ranking events on the professional calendar. Jones walks away with the trophy and the momentum of a player who has found his range.
