Shaun Murphy was in fine form as he orchestrated a 10-4 victory over Daniel Wells in round one of the 2025 World Snooker Championship on Wednesday.
It is 20 years since Murphy joined the elite of the game by capturing a maiden world title at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
The Magician has made final appearances in 2009, 2015, and 2021, but so far he has been unable to add to that glory from 2005.
This year, the 42 year-old is producing the kind of level that is required to go all the way once more at the sport’s blue-riband event.
In a high-quality contest in the last 32, Murphy and Crucible rookie Wells traded six century breaks and didn’t play a single frame without a break of at least 50 in it.
A confident-looking Murphy was not to be stopped, however, as he reproduced the kind of form that saw him secure a second Masters title in January.
“I think 20-odd years of experience playing here at the Crucible was one of the massive differences,” Shaun Murphy told the World Snooker Tour.
“I thought Daniel Wells conducted himself and performed admirably for a debutant. I thought he played so well.”
“He scored so heavily. I remember when being a debutant here was difficult. These debutants this time are coming through.
“Lei Peifan beat the defending champion, Zak Surety made four centuries, and if Daniel had made another one, he would have made four as well.
“An incredible standard from the debutants. I played well, but frankly I had to.
“You know, I’ve been chasing it [a second world title] for so long. I just think it would be the absolute icing on the cake for me – it would be the biggest achievement of my life.
“I think when I burst onto the scene and won this championship as a 22 year-old, I thought the stars would align and I’d win it a few more times.
“Maybe, I was a little bit blasé about it and didn’t really understand it.
“Of course, having been to three further finals in the last 19 or 20 years, and having come so close but yet so far, it means a lot more to me now than it ever has done.
“I’ve put so much into it, every year coming here trying to win. This year is no different – I’m here giving the maximum effort on every single shot.
“I’ll continue to do that until the tournament is over.”
Even though he played incredibly well at the Alexandra Palace, there had been some doubts surrounding Murphy’s very recent form.
The 15th seed came into this fortnight on the back of a couple of heavy defeats to Judd Trump in the Players Championship and Barry Hawkins at the Tour Championship.
But Murphy insists that he was just unfortunate to come up against dominant displays on the day, and that his form against Wells is a true reflection of where his game is at right now.
“Do you know what, I’ve been playing like that since the Masters,” Murphy continued when speaking to the World Snooker Tour.
“I haven’t gone anywhere – I’ve just been beaten by people who’ve played snooker from the gods.”
“The performance of Joe O’Connor who beat me out in Yushan, Neil Robertson who beat me in Hong Kong, to Judd Trump who beat me at Telford and Barry Hawkins in Manchester, these were four of the best performances of anyone of the season.
“So there’s nothing wrong with my game. My game is in good shape. I’ve continued to try to keep the faith, keep the belief.
“Practice hard, get prepared. And sure listen, if I’m allowed to play, I’m going to play well.”
Shaun Murphy awaits the winner of the tie between Judd Trump and Zhou Yuelong, with the former leading 6-3 heading into their second session on day five.
On the other table on Wednesday morning, Pang Junxu retrieved a 7-5 deficit and won the last five frames to beat fellow Chinese cueist Zhang Anda.
Pang secured his maiden Crucible win on his third visit to the venue and will be rewarded with a second-round tie against either Ronnie O’Sullivan or Ali Carter.
The English duo return for their second session on Wednesday afternoon, while the remaining first-round fixtures will also finally get under way on day five of the competition.
Four-time world champion Mark Selby opens his account against Ben Woollaston with 2023 winner Luca Brecel facing Ryan Day.
For the full draw and schedule at the 2025 World Snooker Championship, click here.
Featured image credit: WST
O’Sullivan through to the second round for a record-extending 29th time. James Cahill, Marco Fu, David Gray and Alan McManus the only men to beat him in the first round.
Trump is likely to now secure the £100,000 bonus even if he loses to Murphy. He topped O’Sullivan’s finish to the Carter match with four centuries in five frames.
There will be more Chinese players in the second round than English cueists.
No first round loser has scored fewer than 4 frames.
I’ve checked and this had never happened since the 32 player format was implemented in 1982.
Interesting. I suppose it makes sense considering there’s usually at least one runaway scoreline, although it’s still a bit surprising.