Mark Selby in 2013. Image: DerHexer, Wikimedia Commons.

England’s world number one Mark Selby has beaten China’s Ding Junhui 18-14 to win his second World Championship in three years.

Ding kept in touch with the 2014 winner but could never make up enough ground after world number one Selby opened up a 6-2 lead in the first session on Sunday.

China’s first finalist in snooker’s premier tournament fought his way back to 10-9 and 11-10 during Monday afternoon, but he couldn’t quite pull level.

Ding Junhui won three frames in a row to put pressure on Selby, but the ‘Jester from Leicester’ was unshakable. Image: Wikimedia creative commons licence.

Selby led from start to finish at the Crucible, in Sheffield.

He clinched the win with an uncontested 74 break.

He collected the biggest ever snooker prize of £330,000 to go with the silverware.

Speaking of silverware, Leicester City fan Selby won the World Title just 15 minutes after his beloved Foxes were confirmed as Premier League Champions.

His first act after being handed the trophy by Steve Davis was to wave a Leicester City flag.

What an amazing night for Mark Selby and @LCFC – see him lift their flag as he celebrates his world title!https://t.co/c4etUQQ0rp

— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) May 2, 2016

Selby said:

It’s fantastic. I’m just really happy to win. I saved my best performance for the final.

I can’t believe it. I’m not sure what’s more of a shock: me winning it twice, or Leicester ­winning the Premier League.

And speaking of his opponent:

I think he really showed his class tonight. Ding’s an artist, I’m more of a scribbler.

Mark Selby clinches second world title with 18-14 win over Ding Junhui https://t.co/2j0R1VIVWq (Photo: PA) pic.twitter.com/1AckV9c6L9

— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) 3 May 2016