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Non-Ranking, Snooker Headlines

Shaun Murphy Edges Mark Williams in Milton Keynes

The “Magician” is the fourth Englishman to make it through after the four matches so far.

Shaun Murphy beat Mark Williams 6-4 in the first round of the 2021 Masters on Monday evening at the Marshall Arena.

In a battle of the former champions, Murphy always had the slight upper hand after winning the first and subsequently established a 3-1 mid-session interval by clinching a dramatic fourth frame on the black.

Williams responded with a 108, his second century of the contest, and then restored parity at 3-3, but the Welshman could never get his nose in front.

After sharing the next two frames, Murphy compiled a break of 81 to move to within the brink of the quarter-finals.

It looked as though a decider was on the cards when the Welshman gained early control of the tenth frame with a contribution of 52.

But a missed red from Williams allowed Murphy back in, and the 2005 world champion eventually cleared the table to complete the victory.

In the last eight, Murphy will face Stuart Bingham with the defending champion having also earned a 6-4 triumph against Thepchaiya Un-Nooh earlier in the day.

The remaining four competitors from the top half of the draw enter the fray on Tuesday.

Neil Robertson entertains debutant Yan Bingtao in the afternoon encounter before an intriguing contest between Mark Selby and Stephen Maguire.

Live coverage is being provided by Eurosport and the BBC across Ireland and the UK, with further broadcasts also available around the world.

Click here to view the full draw (Times in CET)

Featured photo credit: WPBSA

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