Category: Shaun Murphy

Murphy happy to avoid ‘a couple of grenades’ in World Championship draw

April 18, 2024

The 2005 winner of the competition begins his campaign against Lyu Haotian in the first round, and admitted relief at swerving the likes of Stephen Maguire and Jack Lisowski early on.

“There’s obviously a couple of grenades that you could have avoided – [Stephen] Maguire was one of them, [Jack] Lisowski another.

“I’m happy to have avoided those. After that, I mean it’s just take your pick, isn’t it? Lyu Haotian on his day can beat anyone, as can I.”

Murphy was grateful not to go through the arduous qualifying route, but is wary of facing someone like Lyu, who battled past Daniel Wells and Jenson Kendrick to make it into the main draw.

“I’m delighted to still be in the 16 and seeded through, not to have to go through the rigmarole of the qualifiers,” Murphy said.

“The other side of that is that the qualifiers who come through are sharp, they’re ready, they’re hungry, they’re at it.

“Like all first rounders, it’s going to be like that first fence at the Grand National.

“I haven’t been involved in the championship the last few years. I got to the final three years ago. I’ve lost in the first round in the last two championships.

“I either seem to have a really deep run to the semis or final, or get bumped out in the first round.

“So I’m hoping that I can buck my recent trend and get out of the first round, get through that melee of the first fence.”

Ding v Lisowski a ‘ridiculous match’ – Allen

Two-time Crucible semi-finalist Mark Allen was involved in the draw itself and picked out some of the standout ties involving the sport’s biggest names.

“There’s a couple of massive games there,” Allen told the BBC. “Luca [Brecel] vs [Dave] Gilbert to kick things off on Saturday.

“Ronnie [O’Sullivan] against Jackson [Page], who loves the big occasion. [Judd] Trump against [Hossein] Vafaei, Ding [Junhui] against [Jack] Lisowski a ridiculous match for the first round as well.

“What a match-up with Joe O’Connor [against Mark Selby], two Leicester boys, two good friends so that could be a good one as well.”

Allen faces an arguably less eye-catching opening showdown against Robbie Williams, but heaped the plaudits on the man making his fourth appearance at the tournament.

“Robbie is someone I’m a big admirer of actually and the way he came through that qualifier the other day from 9-8 down, he’s a class player but they’re all good players at the end of the day,” Allen said.

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Why O’Sullivan could face Crucible minefield in quest for record eighth world title

March 28, 2024

Ronnie O’Sullivan’s second seeding at the World Championship may prove to be more trouble than its worth in his quest to create snooker history at the Crucible next month.

The world No. 1 is set to go into the 48th staging of the sport’s biggest event in Sheffield in the bottom half of the draw unless results dictate otherwise at the Tour Championship in Manchester (April 1-7), the penultimate ranking event of the campaign.

Luca Brecel will have top billing at the Crucible as the defending champion, but it is not yet clear what half of the World Championship last-32 draw would provide better prospects of a run to the winning line for O’Sullivan ahead of the Tour Championship, a tournament Brecel failed to qualify for.

Trump is Tour top seed with O’Sullivan the second seed. They are both guaranteed £30,000 from starting their respective title bids in the quarter-finals in Manchester Central, which involves the top 12 players on the sport’s one-year money list.

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‘A sight we’re so used to’ – Trump clinches World Open triumph to continue stunning season

Trump knows he will return to world No. 1 for the first time since 2021 if he claims the £150,000 first prize, or if he reaches the final and O’Sullivan loses in the semi-finals or before.

The UK and Masters champion will also remain world No. 1 before Sheffield if Trump fails to reach the final which would see him seeded second at the Crucible.

Champion of Champions winner Mark Allen could yet muscle in on the final Crucible seedings if he wins the Tour Championship and O’Sullivan and Trump fail to reach the final in Manchester.

Such a scenario would see the Antrim man take over as world No. 1 and claim the Crucible second seeding, leaving O’Sullivan as third seed and Trump as fourth seed, potentially impacting the starting grid for the Crucible.

Allen is seeded to face Trump in the best-of-19 frame Tour semi-finals if both men progress that far.

As the provisional rankings stand, O’Sullivan and Trump are on a collision course to meet in the semi-finals in Sheffield as the undisputed form horses in the sport in claiming 10 major titles between them this term.

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Ding punches table in celebration after win over Robertson in World Open semi-finals

O’Sullivan is seeded to meet Barry Hawkins in the second round, a figure he defeated 18-12 in the 2013 world final with Hawkins completing a dramatic 13-12 success over the Rocket in the second round in 2016.

The 41-time ranking event winner would also be in line to take on 2005 world champion and three-time Crucible finalist Shaun Murphy in the quarter-finals.

If he landed 2010 world champion and fifth favourite for the tournament Neil Robertson as a qualifier in the draw for the first round, or if the Australian icon comes out near him in the draw, it would potentially be a minefield for O’Sullivan to negotiate.

Alongside Brecel, Mark Selby as fifth seed and Robert Milkins at 16th seed are the only other seedings set in stone for the Crucible with the Tour Championship finalising the crucial order of the seedings amid several permutations.

O’Sullivan has won the world title in 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2020 and 2022. He needs one more triumph to overtake Stephen Hendry as the most prolific world champion of the modern era.

Rocket’s potential Crucible minefield

  • First round: Neil Robertson (unseeded)
  • Second round: Barry Hawkins (15th seed)
  • Quarter-finals: Shaun Murphy (seventh seed)
  • Semi-finals: Judd Trump (third seed)
  • Final: Luca Brecel, Mark Allen or Mark Selby (top seed, fourth seed or fifth seed)

Latest provisional World Rankings

(Players in bold compete at Tour Championship)

  • 1. Ronnie O’Sullivan (Eng) 1,079,000
  • 2. Judd Trump (Eng) 1,061,000
  • 3. Mark Allen (NI) 945,000
  • 4. Luca Brecel (Bel) 690,500
  • 5. Mark Selby (Eng) 678,500
  • 6. Ding Junhui (Chn) 486,500
  • 7. Shaun Murphy (Eng) 468,000
  • 8. Ali Carter (Eng) 433,000
  • 9. Mark Williams (Wal) 427,500
  • 10. Zhang Anda (Chn) 416,000
  • 11. Kyren Wilson (Eng) 381,500
  • 12. Gary Wilson (Eng) 401,500
  • 13. John Higgins (Sco) 353,500
  • 14. Tom Ford (Eng) 325,500
  • 15. Barry Hawkins (Eng) 312,500
  • 16. Robert Milkins (Eng) 283,500
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Why O’Sullivan could face Crucible minefield in quest for record eighth world title

March 28, 2024

Ronnie O’Sullivan’s second seeding at the World Championship may prove to be more trouble than its worth in his quest to create snooker history at the Crucible next month.

The world No. 1 is set to go into the 48th staging of the sport’s biggest event in Sheffield in the bottom half of the draw unless results dictate otherwise at the Tour Championship in Manchester (April 1-7), the penultimate ranking event of the campaign.

Luca Brecel will have top billing at the Crucible as the defending champion, but it is not yet clear what half of the World Championship last-32 draw would provide better prospects of a run to the winning line for O’Sullivan ahead of the Tour Championship, a tournament Brecel failed to qualify for.

Trump is Tour top seed with O’Sullivan the second seed. They are both guaranteed £30,000 from starting their respective title bids in the quarter-finals in Manchester Central, which involves the top 12 players on the sport’s one-year money list.

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‘A sight we’re so used to’ – Trump clinches World Open triumph to continue stunning season

Trump knows he will return to world No. 1 for the first time since 2021 if he claims the £150,000 first prize, or if he reaches the final and O’Sullivan loses in the semi-finals or before.

The UK and Masters champion will also remain world No. 1 before Sheffield if Trump fails to reach the final which would see him seeded second at the Crucible.

Champion of Champions winner Mark Allen could yet muscle in on the final Crucible seedings if he wins the Tour Championship and O’Sullivan and Trump fail to reach the final in Manchester.

Such a scenario would see the Antrim man take over as world No. 1 and claim the Crucible second seeding, leaving O’Sullivan as third seed and Trump as fourth seed, potentially impacting the starting grid for the Crucible.

Allen is seeded to face Trump in the best-of-19 frame Tour semi-finals if both men progress that far.

As the provisional rankings stand, O’Sullivan and Trump are on a collision course to meet in the semi-finals in Sheffield as the undisputed form horses in the sport in claiming 10 major titles between them this term.

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Ding punches table in celebration after win over Robertson in World Open semi-finals

O’Sullivan is seeded to meet Barry Hawkins in the second round, a figure he defeated 18-12 in the 2013 world final with Hawkins completing a dramatic 13-12 success over the Rocket in the second round in 2016.

The 41-time ranking event winner would also be in line to take on 2005 world champion and three-time Crucible finalist Shaun Murphy in the quarter-finals.

If he landed 2010 world champion and fifth favourite for the tournament Neil Robertson as a qualifier in the draw for the first round, or if the Australian icon comes out near him in the draw, it would potentially be a minefield for O’Sullivan to negotiate.

Alongside Brecel, Mark Selby as fifth seed and Robert Milkins at 16th seed are the only other seedings set in stone for the Crucible with the Tour Championship finalising the crucial order of the seedings amid several permutations.

O’Sullivan has won the world title in 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2020 and 2022. He needs one more triumph to overtake Stephen Hendry as the most prolific world champion of the modern era.

Rocket’s potential Crucible minefield

  • First round: Neil Robertson (unseeded)
  • Second round: Barry Hawkins (15th seed)
  • Quarter-finals: Shaun Murphy (seventh seed)
  • Semi-finals: Judd Trump (third seed)
  • Final: Luca Brecel, Mark Allen or Mark Selby (top seed, fourth seed or fifth seed)

Latest provisional World Rankings

(Players in bold compete at Tour Championship)

  • 1. Ronnie O’Sullivan (Eng) 1,079,000
  • 2. Judd Trump (Eng) 1,061,000
  • 3. Mark Allen (NI) 945,000
  • 4. Luca Brecel (Bel) 690,500
  • 5. Mark Selby (Eng) 678,500
  • 6. Ding Junhui (Chn) 486,500
  • 7. Shaun Murphy (Eng) 468,000
  • 8. Ali Carter (Eng) 433,000
  • 9. Mark Williams (Wal) 427,500
  • 10. Zhang Anda (Chn) 416,000
  • 11. Kyren Wilson (Eng) 381,500
  • 12. Gary Wilson (Eng) 401,500
  • 13. John Higgins (Sco) 353,500
  • 14. Tom Ford (Eng) 325,500
  • 15. Barry Hawkins (Eng) 312,500
  • 16. Robert Milkins (Eng) 283,500
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‘You wouldn’t see that at a normal tournament’ – Fu on O’Sullivan v Trump exhibition

March 27, 2024

Ronnie O’Sullivan played before a world-record snooker crowd during his last trip to Hong Kong, but it was a bit different upon his return to the Asian city on Tuesday.

The seven-time world champion faced new World Open winner Judd Trump in a lucrative exhibition match, but the seemingly prohibitive cost of tickets for the event appeared to have priced out the locals from watching the action this time.

Perhaps it was no surprise there were such sparse numbers with tickets priced at £140 (HK$1,380) £240 (HK$2,380) and £342 (HK$3,380) to watch several of the sport’s leading men with Mark Williams, Jack Lisowski, Kyren Wilson and Marco Fu also competing in a two-day event worth over £655,000 in appearance money.

Fu was quoted as saying: “You wouldn’t see that at a normal tournament. But this is probably an exhibition, so maybe a little different, I guess.”

‘You wouldn’t see that at a normal tournament’ – Fu on O’Sullivan v Trump exhibition

March 27, 2024

Ronnie O’Sullivan played before a world-record snooker crowd during his last trip to Hong Kong, but it was a bit different upon his return to the Asian city on Tuesday.

The seven-time world champion faced new World Open winner Judd Trump in a lucrative exhibition match, but the seemingly prohibitive cost of tickets for the event appeared to have priced out the locals from watching the action this time.

Perhaps it was no surprise there were such sparse numbers with tickets priced at £140 (HK$1,380) £240 (HK$2,380) and £342 (HK$3,380) to watch several of the sport’s leading men with Mark Williams, Jack Lisowski, Kyren Wilson and Marco Fu also competing in a two-day event worth over £655,000 in appearance money.

Fu was quoted as saying: “You wouldn’t see that at a normal tournament. But this is probably an exhibition, so maybe a little different, I guess.”

‘He’s done amazing to come back’ – Knowles explains why O’Sullivan hasn’t quit sport

March 25, 2024

Ronnie O’Sullivan has been given the chance to rebuild his career due to the amount of matches he can play in the modern professional era, according to former world No. 2 Tony Knowles.

O’Sullivan turned professional in 1992, but has become a serial winner in recent years in claiming four of his seven world titles since 2012 – including 19 of his 41 career ranking titles – four of his eight Masters crowns, four Champion of Champions titles and three of his five Shanghai Masters victories.

Yet there was a time when O’Sullivan’s future in the sport looked in doubt as he went three years without winning a ranking event and dropped out of the world’s top 10 until his German Masters success in 2012 opened the floodgates for a sustained period of success.

1980s favourite Knowles believes the secret behind O’Sullivan powers of recovery is due to being afforded more playing opportunities today than four decades ago.

“I think Ronnie has done amazing to come back because he went through a bad period,” said Knowles, who believes he suffered similar problems in failing to handle tabloid scrutiny during his era at the snooker summit.

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‘He thought he’d thrown it away’ – Watch dramatic ending to O’Sullivan-Vafaei classic

“I fully understand the period that he went through. I think the only reason he’s come out of it and I didn’t is that we didn’t have the matches to play.

“He’s had a lot of matches to actually recover. Being able to come back and build it back up again. Now he’s got into a position where he’s happy with it.

“So many times he’s been in a position where he’s wanted to quit. I’ve been through that. Of not feeling right.”

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O’Sullivan emotional as he clinches UK Championship glory with stunning clearance

“A lot are very nice, and some who aren’t nice. You’ve got to just stand there and take it. That’s why I relate to Ronnie, and talk to him a bit. I don’t think they understand the volume.”

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O’Sullivan and Trump set for world No. 1 battle at Tour Championship as Crucible top 16 confirmed

March 25, 2024

Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump will go into the Tour Championship in Manchester next week (1-7 April) with snooker’s coveted world No. 1 spot on the line.

Tour Championship top seed Trump and second seed O’Sullivan are both guaranteed £30,000 from starting their respective title bids in the quarter-finals in Manchester Central, which involves the top 12 players on the sport’s one-year money list.

Trump will return to world No. 1 for the first time since 2021 if he claims the £150,000 first prize, or if he reaches the final and O’Sullivan loses in the semi-finals.

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Trump lifts World Open trophy after latest inspired success

The snooker GOAT has held the top spot since his 18-13 Crucible final win against Trump two years ago and will retain his place at the summit if he secures the trophy or goes further in the penultimate event of the season than the 2019 world champion.

The UK and Masters champion will also remain world No. 1 before Sheffield if Trump fails to reach the final which would see him seeded second at the Crucible behind world champion Luca Brecel.

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‘I think they should ban the shot!’ – Wilson invokes ire of Foulds during clash with Trump

Meanwhile, 2010 world champion Neil Robertson will be consigned to 24th spot after the Tour Championship and will have to negotiate two matches to qualify for the sport’s biggest event for the first time since 2006, but showed glimpses of his best form in a narrow 6-5 loss to Ding in the World Open semi-finals.

2024 Tour Championship draw

First round (best of 19 frames)

  • Mark Williams (Wal) v Tom Ford (Eng)
  • Mark Allen (NI) v John Higgins (Sco)
  • Mark Selby (Eng) v Gary Wilson (Eng)
  • Barry Hawkins (Eng) v Ali Carter (Eng)

Quarter-finals

  • Williams/Ford v Judd Trump (Eng)
  • Allen/Higgins v Ding Junhui (Chn)
  • Selby/Wilson v Zhang Anda (Chn)
  • Hawkins/Carter v Ronnie O’Sullivan (Eng)

Tour Championship prize money

  • Winner: £150,000
  • Runner-up £60,000
  • Semi-finals: £40,000
  • Quarter-finals: £30,000
  • First round: £20,000

Latest provisional World Rankings

(Players in bold compete at Tour Championship)

  • 1. Ronnie O’Sullivan (Eng) 1,049,000
  • 2. Judd Trump (Eng) 1,031,000
  • 3. Mark Allen (NI) 925,000
  • 4. Luca Brecel (Bel) 690,500
  • 5. Mark Selby (Eng) 658,500
  • 6. Shaun Murphy (Eng) 468,000
  • 7. Ding Junhui (Chn) 456,500
  • 8. Ali Carter (Eng) 413,000
  • 9. Mark Williams (Wal) 407,500
  • 10. Zhang Anda (Chn) 386,000
  • 11. Kyren Wilson (Eng) 381,500
  • 12. Gary Wilson (Eng) 381,500
  • 13. John Higgins (Sco) 333,500
  • 14. Tom Ford (Eng) 305,500
  • 15. Barry Hawkins (Eng) 292,500
  • 16. Robert Milkins (Eng) 283,500
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Selby secures Tour Championship spot after Vafaei defeat at World Open

March 22, 2024

Mark Selby’s spot at the prestigious Tour Championship in Manchester was confirmed on Friday without the four-time world champion playing a shot.

Selby had lost 5-2 to Jackson Page in the last 16 of the World Open on Thursday, two days after Page completed a 5-3 win over Higgins in the last 64. Page continued his glorious run by reaching his first ranking semi-final with a 5-2 quarter-final win over Slessor.
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Robertson maintains return to form with high-quality ton against Hawkins

While Selby can start making his plans for his trip to Manchester Central, 2022 Tour Championship finalist Higgins faces a sweat over the weekend to see if he will be joining his fellow four-time Crucible winner.

A title triumph for Trump or Ding on Sunday will confirm Higgins’ spot at the event, but a trophy success for Page or a rejuvenated two-time Tour champion Neil Robertson would see them earn the £170,000 first prize to overtake the Scotsman.

“My game is absolutely back to where it should be now and that is really exciting heading into the back end of the season,” Robertson told reporters. “It is a blockbuster match tomorrow. If you can’t enjoy playing Ding in a semi-final in China then there’s something wrong.

“I’ve never been one to put myself under pressure to win events to qualify for things. I wouldn’t have achieved what I have in the game if I did.”

Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan have been confirmed as the top two seeds for the Tour Championship, but the final seeding list will be announced on Sunday with Selby joining DIng, Zhang Anda, Mark Allen, Gary Wilson, Barry Hawkins, Mark Williams, Tom Ford and Ali Carter in the elite field.

The Tour Championship is the final event of the season before the 48th World Championship begins at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield (April 20-May 6).

Saturday’s World Open semi-final schedule

(best of 11 frames, all times GMT)

  • Judd Trump v Jackson Page 6am
  • Ding Junhui v Neil Robertson 11:30am

Friday’s World Open quarter-final results

  • Judd Trump 5-2 Kyren Wilson
  • Jackson Page 5-2 Elliot Slessor
  • Hossein Vafaei 0-5 Ding Junhui
  • Neil Robertson 5-2 Barry Hawkins
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Selby secures Tour Championship spot after Vafaei defeat at World Open

March 22, 2024

Mark Selby’s spot at the prestigious Tour Championship in Manchester was confirmed on Friday without the four-time world champion playing a shot.

Selby had lost 5-2 to Jackson Page in the last 16 of the World Open on Thursday, two days after Page completed a 5-3 win over Higgins in the last 64. Page continued his glorious run by reaching his first ranking semi-final with a 5-2 quarter-final win over Slessor.
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Robertson maintains return to form with high-quality ton against Hawkins

While Selby can start making his plans for his trip to Manchester Central, 2022 Tour Championship finalist Higgins faces a sweat over the weekend to see if he will be joining his fellow four-time Crucible winner.

A title triumph for Trump or Ding on Sunday will confirm Higgins’ spot at the event, but a trophy success for Page or a rejuvenated two-time Tour champion Neil Robertson would see them earn the £170,000 first prize to overtake the Scotsman.

“My game is absolutely back to where it should be now and that is really exciting heading into the back end of the season,” Robertson told reporters. “It is a blockbuster match tomorrow. If you can’t enjoy playing Ding in a semi-final in China then there’s something wrong.

“I’ve never been one to put myself under pressure to win events to qualify for things. I wouldn’t have achieved what I have in the game if I did.”

Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan have been confirmed as the top two seeds for the Tour Championship, but the final seeding list will be announced on Sunday with Selby joining DIng, Zhang Anda, Mark Allen, Gary Wilson, Barry Hawkins, Mark Williams, Tom Ford and Ali Carter in the elite field.

The Tour Championship is the final event of the season before the 48th World Championship begins at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield (April 20-May 6).

Saturday’s World Open semi-final schedule

(best of 11 frames, all times GMT)

  • Judd Trump v Jackson Page 6am
  • Ding Junhui v Neil Robertson 11:30am

Friday’s World Open quarter-final results

  • Judd Trump 5-2 Kyren Wilson
  • Jackson Page 5-2 Elliot Slessor
  • Hossein Vafaei 0-5 Ding Junhui
  • Neil Robertson 5-2 Barry Hawkins
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Vafaei set for most important match of season after stunning O’Sullivan win

March 21, 2024

Iran’s leading player edged O’Sullivan on the final black on Thursday morning to secure a quarter-final meeting with Chinese icon Ding Junhui in the quarter-finals on Friday.

Perhaps more importantly, Vafaei has also kept alive his prospects of qualifying for the 12-man Tour Championship in Manchester (1-7 April) and earning a top-16 place at the World Championship in Sheffield (20 April-6 May).

“He just said ‘go and win it now, just go and win it, you can win it’. And then I said ‘I will try my best’,” said Vafaei after revealing O’Sullivan’s kind words after slotting a dramatic winning final black.

Higgins continues to hold the final place at the Tour Championship – involving the top 12 players on the sport’s one-year list – but Vafaei moved within 7,000 points of the Scotsman in 13th place with his second win over O’Sullivan in six meetings.

The former Shoot Out champion knows a win over Ding will guarantee him at least £32,500 for reaching the semis in Yushan and overtake Higgins by 4,000 in the race to qualify for the Tour Championship, the penultimate event before the traditional season-ending World Championship at the Crucible.

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‘He’s had to find something’ – O’Sullivan sparkles with 125 clearance

O’Sullivan, Ding, Judd Trump, Zhang Anda, Mark Allen, Gary Wilson, Barry Hawkins, Mark Williams, Tom Ford and Ali Carter have already qualified for the event with Mark Selby joining fellow four-time Crucible winner Higgins in hoping results go their way over the next three days.

Selby lost 5-2 to young Welshman Jackson Page in the last 16 on Thursday, who followed up his 5-3 win over Higgins in the last 64 with three centuries against Selby.

Page, Kyren Wilson, Elliot Slessor and Neil Robertson all need to land the £170,000 first prize on Sunday night to qualify for the Tour Championship.

Meanwhile, Vafaei could also boost his hopes of securing a top-16 seeding for the Crucible by reaching the final in Yushan on Sunday and claiming at least £73,000 for his efforts.

The world No. 19 is 39,000 points adrift of Robert Milkins in 16th place, but would move above Milkins and Hawkins into 14th spot by reaching the final ahead of the trip to Manchester Central for the Tour Championship.

Elsewhere, 2010 world champion Neil Robertson hit three centuries in a 5-1 win over Chris Wakelin in the last 16, but is provisionally ranked 25th in the world and knows he needs the World Open title on Sunday otherwise he faces being forced to qualify for the Crucible next month.

World Open quarter-finals

(best of nine frames, all times GMT)

  • Judd Trump v Kyren Wilson 6:30am
  • Jackson Page v Elliot Slessor 6:30am
  • Hossein Vafaei v Ding Junhui 11:30am
  • Neil Robertson v Barry Hawkins 11:30am
Stream top snooker action including the 2024 World Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com