A process for hydroprocessing hydrocarbons in a combined targeted pretreatment and selective ring-opening unit wherein the targeted pretreatment comprises at least two stages in a single liquid recycle loop. The process operates as a liquid-full process, wherein all of the hydrogen dissolves in the liquid phase. Heavy hydrocarbons and light cycle oils can be converted in the process to provide a liquid product having over 50% in the diesel boiling range, with properties to meet use in low sulfur diesel.