Mark Selby. Picture by Monique Limbos

MARK Selby yet again proved why he is the world’s best after he came back from 3-0 down to win the Riga Open final.

The reigning world champion, playing just his second event since achieving Crucible glory in May, showed just what a tough nut to crack he is on the table after producing the goods against the odds against Mark Allen in the season’s opening European PTC event.

Just like his memorable win against Ronnie O’Sullivan in the World Championship final three months ago, Selby showed brilliant tenacity to fight back and earn silverware when it looked an impossible task.

The trademark win put Selby back ahead to number one in the provisional world rankings after his rival Neil Robertson suffered an early exit losing to Welshman Jak Jones in the last 64 stage.

Allen, who was bidding to win his fourth PTC event of his career, made the perfect start to the final as a quick-fire break of 74 gave him the first frame.

The Ulsterman then doubled his lead to 2-0 with a break of 56 before moving towards the verge of glory after dominating the third frame.

But Selby kept his hopes alive with a break of 65 in the fourth frame before a century break of 100 put him right back in the match at just one frame behind at 3-2.

Selby then ensured the first ever snooker event in Latvia would have a dramatic final after a break of 62 forced the match into a deciding frame.

And the world champion completed a brilliant comeback display with a break of 63 after Allen broke down when first in on 33.

The three-day event also saw success for world number 42 Anthony McGill who made it through to the semi-finals – including victory against Australian Open winner Judd Trump – before losing a decider to Allen.

The event also proved a success for former professional Sean O’Sullivan who reached his first quarter-final at a ranking event before losing to Allen in the last eight.

O’Sullivan suffered relegation from the main tour at the end of last season and was unable to win his place back at Q School in the close season.