A SNOOKER star has spoken of his fierce rivalry with Ronnie O'Sullivan as he goes for world title number five following a visit to the Bradford district.

Mark Selby entertained a full Saltaire Bar in a thrilling exhibition, organised by Keith Walker, last Friday night.

The 'Jester from Leicester' bagged three centuries on his way to conquering all 10 contenders.

And he took that fantastic form into the next event on the snooker calendar - winning his first title of the season at the BetVictor Championship League earlier this week.

With Sheffield on the horizon, the World Championship begins on April 20, Selby is feeling confident.

"I would like to win it again," he told the Telegraph & Argus.

"At the start of my career, if you told me I would win it four times, I would have snapped your hand off. If I never won it again, I could die happy.

"I lost (finals) to (John) Higgins in 2007 and Luca (Brecel) last year. If you convert them, I could be sitting here with more.

"But it is not that easy, it is a difficult tournament to win, both physically and mentally because it goes on for so long.

"I feel my game has been better at the back end of the season and is going in the right direction."

Someone bound to be in his way at the Crucible is current UK and Masters champion O'Sullivan.

The seven-time world champion is renowned for taking shots at Selby's style in a dual which has lasted for over 15 years.

A 6-0 thrashing in their previous meeting at the Players Championship in February pleased the 40-year-old who relishes the battle against The Rocket.

Selby said: "Ronnie says things then the week after he says something totally different. Sometimes he doesn’t remember what he says. I just take it as a pinch of salt.

"If he keeps mentioning me, I must be doing something right. That is the way I look at it.

"If he did not see me as a threat, then he wouldn’t be mentioning me.

"I am not going to take anything to heart what he says. I see it as a positive if he mentions me."

He added: "I have got nothing but respect for Ronnie as a player.

"Every time I go into a match with Ronnie I see it as a challenge.

"When you play him, you have to be at your best because if you are not, you are going home."

This admiration for "The Greatest" continued when asked which of his four world titles was the most memorable.

"Winning it for the first time against O’Sullivan," Selby said.

"I have always said if you can pick someone to beat in a world final it would be him.

"To beat him in a world final is a feather in my cap."