In a thrilling contest at Alexandra Palace, Shaun Murphy emerged victorious against reigning world champion Kyren Wilson, clinching his second Masters title with a score of 10-7. Despite a valiant effort from Wilson, Murphy’s performance proved decisive in the high-stakes match.
On Sunday afternoon, Murphy secured a solid 6-2 lead, but as the evening progressed, he faced intense pressure from his compatriot, signaling a dramatic shift in the match’s momentum.
Wilson delivered impressive breaks of 95, 78, and 65, securing victories in five of the first seven frames, which brought him within striking distance at 8-7.
He faltered in a pivotal moment during the 16th frame by missing a long red to the right corner. However, Murphy maintained his composure, skillfully constructing a crucial 55 to edge closer to victory. He ultimately concluded a decade-long pursuit of success in a notable Triple Crown event, achieving his fourth century in the match.
It is hard to fathom the situation; the disbelief is palpable. “If I’m sincere, I believed those days were behind us,” Murphy, 42, stated in an interview with BBC Sport.
“After defeating Mark Selby in the 2021 World Final at the Crucible, I believed my chances of competing at the highest level in these events were over.” It is widely acknowledged that I have partnered with Peter Ebdon, who has played a crucial role in helping me regain my self-belief and reminding me of my past successes in this field. The old dog still has some life left in it. Kyren deserves recognition as an exceptional world champion. He truly challenged me, and there was a moment just a few frames back when it felt like a state of emergency.
World number seven Murphy entered the invitational 16-man tournament this week as an underdog, having not secured a victory in a Triple Crown event since his triumph at the Masters in 2015.
He has emerged as a deserving champion of the Paul Hunter Trophy, claiming the £350,000 top prize after delivering what many consider the finest snooker performance of his career.
A stunning maximum break of 147, highlighting his triumph over Mark Allen in the semifinals, also secured him the £15,000 prize for achieving the highest break.
His impressive scoring and aggressive attacking style have resulted in seven centuries over the week, outpacing all competitors by four. His collaboration with Ebdon has paid off, allowing him to maintain a sharp focus throughout the competition.
Known as the Magician, Murphy has expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of significant titles he has secured since becoming professional in 1998.
His exuberance was palpable as he celebrated, fist raised in triumph, having secured his status as the 12th multiple Masters champion.
His achievement has resulted in him receiving the largest winning cheque of his career.
Many positive days have come my way. “I have been extremely fortunate, but this experience ranks among the highest,” he remarked.
Murphy showcased his prowess in the opening session, starting with a remarkable break of 94, followed by impressive runs of 134 and 116. This commanding performance proved overwhelming for Wilson, who faced an uphill battle and had previously lost his only final 10-7 to Mark Allen in 2018.
Today, I inadvertently provided Shaun with an opportunity that was too simple to capitalise on. “I hit him in the balls too many times, and you can’t do that considering how well Shaun has been performing this week,” Wilson stated.
“I demonstrated my status as the world champion, putting forth every ounce of effort in the fight.” Trailing 8-4, many might have dismissed my chances, but had the red ball gone in at 8-7, it could have set me up for an equaliser at 8-8, potentially altering the match’s outcome. Shaun deserves full credit for his century, which is a fitting conclusion for the fans.
