Shaun Murphy produced an outstanding efficiency to thrash China’s Xiao Guodong 13-3 and change into the primary participant into the 2026 World Championship quarter-finals.
Murphy, a champion on the Crucible in 2005 and runner-up in 2009, 2015 and 2021, led 6-2 in a single day towards China’s world quantity 9 Xiao Guodong, earlier than profitable seven of the eight frames in Friday’s first session.
It meant the 43-year-old eighth seed gained his match with a session to spare.
Murphy made breaks of 93, 66, 103, 69, 115 and 103 in Friday’s session to arrange a last-eight tie towards the winner of the all-Chinese language match between reigning world champion Zhao Xintong and Ding Junhui, with the quarter-final starting on Tuesday and ending on Wednesday.
“I am actually happy with how I performed. I am delighted,” stated Murphy. “It doesn’t occur usually that you simply win with a session to spare, as a result of everyone seems to be so good.
“I might not say I am determined to win one other World Championship, however it’s shut.
“It is 21 years since that clueless 22-year-old got here right here and nicked the trophy from everybody. Since then I have been making an attempt my hardest to get the trophy once more. It is not been by the dearth of making an attempt.”
Murphy final reached the quarter-final stage in 2021, when he went on to the ultimate and misplaced to Mark Selby, and stated he nonetheless feels he can enhance.
“I am loving the sport, loving apply and nonetheless suppose I can get higher,” stated Murphy. “One of the best days are nonetheless forward of me.”
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