Murphy secures narrow: Shaun Murphy secured a narrow victory over Fan Zhengyi in the first round of the World Snooker Championship, winning 10-9 in a dramatic final-frame decider. Murphy, who previously won the title in 2005, managed to overcome a 36-point deficit in the deciding frame. The match featured intense exchanges, particularly in the second session, where Fan appeared close to victory after taking the first chance in the last frame. However, Murphy demonstrated his experience by making a crucial break of 50 to clinch the match.
Murphy secures narrow: what to know
Earlier in the tournament, Murphy expressed frustration on social media regarding an audience member who criticized one of his shots during the opening session. He reminded fans that comments from the front row can be heard and are unwelcome.
O’Sullivan Starts Strong
Ronnie O’Sullivan began his campaign with a commanding 7-2 lead against He Guoqiang. Despite a rare misstep, where he mistakenly approached the wrong table, O’Sullivan quickly regained his focus. He established an early 5-0 lead, showcasing his skill with breaks of 72 and 97. Although He managed to reduce the deficit with a break of 77, O’Sullivan maintained control, finishing the session with a break of 86.
O’Sullivan is aiming for a record-breaking eighth title and will return on Wednesday afternoon to secure the three frames needed to advance to the next round, where he could face fellow “Class of 92” member John Higgins.
Trump Advances to Second Round
Judd Trump also progressed to the second round with a 10-5 victory over Gary Wilson. Despite being the world No 1, Trump has remained somewhat under the radar, with more attention focused on O’Sullivan and Zhao Xintong. Trump expressed contentment with this situation, stating that it alleviates pressure and allows him to compete without high expectations. He is still in pursuit of his second world title, having won his first in 2019.
In another match, Liam Pullen, making his tournament debut, trails 5-4 against 13th seed Chris Wakelin after the first session. Pullen showed resilience, making four half-centuries and a crucial break of 58 to win the final frame of the morning session.