Murphy crashes out in first round

Snooker’S world no 8 Shaun Murphy became the third world champion to be knocked out in this year’s first round when he suffered a 10-9 defeat by Jamie Jones yesterday. Murphy, who lifted the crown in 2005, followed defending champion Mark Selby and 2006 winner Graeme Dott in exiting the tournament, despite having led 8-5 and 9-8 in Sheffield. Jones, 30, also beat Murphy in the first round in 2012 — the Welshman’s Crucible debut — and reached the quarter-finals that year. This time he faces kyren Wilson in the last 16. earlier, Masters champion Mark Allen advanced with a 10-5 win over Liam Highfield to set up a clash with Selby’s conquerer Joe Perry for a place in the quarter-finals.