 Selby akahwina mukombe wake wekutanga wepasi rose kuWelsh Open musi wa17 Kukadzi 2008, achikunda 98 yakatarisana neOSullivan mushure mekudzoka kubva pa58 kumashure. Zvisinei, haana kukwanisa kudzokorora kubudirira kwake kweCrucible kubva mwaka wapfuura; kunyangwe kuenda ku2008 World Championshipsomumwe wevabheji vaifarira zita racho, Selby akakundwa 8-10 mumutambo wokutanga naMark King. 