WORLD number one Mark Selby set up a titanic Betway UK Championship semi-final with Neil Robertson after sweeping Matthew Selt aside at the York Barbican.

Selby, so close to going out of the competition in the last 32 against Jamie Jones, destroyed Selt 6-1 to continue his march towards regaining the trophy he won in 2012.

Selt seemed to completely lose his way when, trailing 2-1, he missed an easy red to a corner pocket when looking like levelling the game, and Selby punished him mercilessly after the interval - breaks of 61, 62 and 72 easing him over the line.

The result set up a repeat of the 2013 final in York when Selby, having led 5-1, lost 10-7 as he bid for back-to-back titles.

Selby said: “I thought I played okay in patches. It could have been better but, overall, I didn’t really miss anything that easy when I was in the balls or had a chance.

“If anything, I ran out of position a lot more than missing balls. I think the fourth frame was a key one. Matt was looking good, made a good break in frame three, and was looking good in frame four and it should have probably been 2-2.

“He said he took his eye off a red into the corner and I managed to nick that frame which I think, looking back, was probably the turning point.”

Looking ahead to Robertson, he added: “It’s going to a tough game. Neil is playing great - probably the best of anyone so far in the tournament.

“I am looking forward to it and I will relish it as always. It would be good to get to the final again. I played Neil in 2013 and he beat me there.

“We played earlier on this year (at the International quarter-finals - Selby won) and we had a good game. I am sure this will be no different.

“Whoever plays Neil, whether it is myself or any of the top boys, know that you have to turn up and play your A game. If you don’t you are going home.

“It’s very rare Neil plays a really poor match. More times than not, he either plays really good or awesome sometimes.

“I am sure he will be up for it and so will I.”

Selt admitted the frame he lost immediately before the mid-session interval was a huge turning point.

“I made it a bit too easy for him in the beginning,” he said: “I had a couple of chances in the first frame and, from 2-0, I won the next in one visit and then took my eye off a silly red when looking like making it 2-2.

“That was a big turning point and, against someone of that calibre, you’ve got to win every frame you can.”