Shaun Murphy will enjoy a weekend off after a dominant 13-3 victory over Xiao Guodong in the second round of the World Snooker Championship, securing his place in the quarter-finals with a session to spare.
Murphy's Dominant Display
Murphy, who won the title in 2005 as a qualifier, produced a fluent potting display that included four centuries and seven further breaks over 60. He told the BBC: "Mathematically it's possible to win with a session to spare but you don't think it's going to happen. I kept getting those little chances and I'm really pleased how I played."
The 43-year-old added: "We're going to ship out of Sheffield for a few days. Go home now. I've got my practice table at home and I can do as much as I want instead of trying to dodge in for half an hour at the Crucible. (I will) spend the next few days getting ready for what's going to be a big game."
Next Opponent: Zhao Xintong or Ding Junhui
Murphy will face either reigning world champion Zhao Xintong or Ding Junhui in the last eight. Reflecting on his chances, he said: "I don't know if I'd use the word desperate (to win it) but it's very close. It's been 21 years since that totally clueless 22-year-old kid walked in here and nicked the trophy from everybody. I've come back here every year trying my hardest to repeat that magic and I've not been able to. Who knows? I'll enjoy watching Ding and Xintong battling it from the safety of my house and see who comes through that."
Match Details
Murphy led 6-2 overnight and Xiao won only one more frame on Friday. Breaks of 93 and 66 helped Murphy claim the first three frames of the second session. Xiao responded with 74, but Murphy rattled off breaks of 103, 69, 115 and 103 to reach the 10th World Championship quarter-final of his career.
Zhao and Ding Level
The all-Chinese battle between Zhao Xintong and Ding Junhui was tied 4-4 after the first session. Zhao won successive frames on pink and black to lead 4-3, but Ding made a brilliant 62 clearance to snatch the final frame after Zhao missed a straightforward pot.
Allen Leads Wilson
Mark Allen fought back to take a 9-7 lead over Kyren Wilson in a see-saw clash. Wilson had won the final three frames of the first session to stop an Allen procession and extended his streak to lead 6-5, helped by a 112 break. Allen, who had potted just 10 balls since going 5-0 up, stopped the rot by winning the next two frames. Wilson won a tight 14th frame to level, but Allen rolled in a break of 140 – the 699th century break of his career – and then got the better of a safety exchange to enjoy some breathing space.
Hawkins and Williams Level
Elsewhere, Barry Hawkins and Mark Williams are level at 4-4 after a high-quality opening session.
