SHAU THING
Shaun Murphy lands biggest payday of career after beating Kyren Wilson in thrilling Masters snooker final
The Magician hit four centuries on route to an epic victory
SNOOKER SHOWMAN Shaun Murphy earned the biggest payday of his career as he won a first Masters crown for 10 years.
The Magician hit four magical centuries in a 10-7 final victory over reigning world champion Kyren Wilson in North London.
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Murphy, 42, lifted the Paul Hunter Trophy for the first time since 2015, halting a strong Wilson fightback that had threatened a late night for all concerned.
He will also receive a tournament cheque for £365,000, which includes a £15,000 bonus for the high break of 147 set in the semi-finals on Saturday.
This is his first Triple Crown success since he started working for the BBC and decided to combine punditry with potting.
A crowd of 2,200 fans, the biggest in the UK, were treated to trick shots by Murphy, and coach Peter Ebdon – their partnership began last autumn – was delighted with the display by his pupil.
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The final began shortly after 1pm amid farcical scenes with Murphy having to take evasive action to avoid getting stung by the infamous Ally Pally WASP!
Just as he was about to break-off in frame one, the Northamptonshire potter moved away from the table and started waving his hands in the air as a precaution.
The referee Olivier Marteel told him: “It’s on your back. It’s on your back. Don’t do anything. Don’t do anything. It will get aggressive. I’ll try to catch it if it’s on the table.”
The day before Murphy hit a maximum break in the semi-final against Mark Allen and continued the showmanship antics in Sunday’s afternoon session.
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After building a 4-2 lead, the former world champion then hit successive breaks of 134 and 116.
With the first century, he tried to pot the final black on a double, which he did achieve.
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For the next century, he mischievously bounced the cue-ball off three cushions and then moved the black with his hand over the pocket – which, of course, was a foul.
The crowd loved it but these were the ultimate p***-taking manoeuvres – you’d expect to see that in an exhibition, not a Masters final.
Ken Doherty, the 1997 world champion, warned: “Don’t get too carried away. Kyren will be absolutely livid. You don’t want to give your opponent any ammunition to get them going. And that will.”
Wilson, 33, certainly looked focused for the evening session and closed the gap to 6-3 but when he made a mistake in frame 10, Murphy pounced, knocking in a break of 125.
The Warrior immediately responded with a 95 but then Murphy knocked in a key 66, after another mistake by his opponent, and was 8-4 ahead at the interval.
After the break, Wilson won the next three frames in a row and suddenly alarm bells were going off in Murphy’s head.
The 16th frame was important because instead of Wilson drawing level at 8-8, Murphy went 9-7 up, and then after a re-rack, he knocked in a tournament-winning break of 100 which he marked with a fist bump.
After the match, Murphy said: “I cannot believe this. I’m in shock. I thought these days, at the business end of events, had gone for me.
“Peter Ebdon was very strong and made me discover that self-belief. He has reminded me that I used to be quite good at this. There’s still life in the old dog yet.
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“It’s not in Kyren’s DNA to give up. He fought until the end. There were a few frames when it was panic stations.
“This is right up there. The win in 2015 cemented my Triple Crown and I joined that club. But this win is arguably bigger. It has been an incredible week. One of the best crowds in the whole world.”
Amusingly, Wilson admitted he will drown his sorrows by sinking some Jagerbombs.
He said: “I made it too easy for Shaun. You cannot do that given how well Shaun has played this week. I proved why I was the world champion. I fought as hard as I could.
“Credit to Shaun for making a century for the fans at the end.
“Shaun has turned into an old man and needs it more than me. I’m 33 and coming into my prime.
“I don’t want to be the runner-up. I will now smash it in Berlin next week for the German Masters.
“I’m gutted but I will consume so many Jagerbombs tonight.”
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++ BBC Sport will broadcast Triple Crown events until 2032 in a new five-year extension – the existing deal with the World Snooker Tour was due to expire in 2027.
This is the strongest indicator yet that the World Championship will remain in the UK and more than likely stay at the Crucible beyond its contract that runs out in two years’ time.
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