MURPHY’S MAGIC SPELL
World Championship
BY
SHAUN MURPHY produced one of the greatest ever Crucible comebacks to reach today’s Betfred World Championship final.
The Magician conjured up a sensational spell of snooker to win 13 of the last 15 frames as he recovered from 10-4 down to inflict a painful 17-12 semifinal defeat on nearly man Kyren Wilson.
World No.6 Wilson has now lost in two semi-finals and last year’s showcase final to Ronnie O’Sullivan in the past four years.
Murphy (above) punched the air in delight at the end of each session, much to the chagrin of beaten Wilson.
“It means so much to all of us,” admitted Murphy. “It means everything to us.
“We play in events all over the season. The majors are the biggest and this is the biggest of the lot.
“It means more than anything. The fist pumps, I don’t have a problem with it and I think we need that in sport.
“I think it’s something in snooker which we don’t have in common with other sports.
“I didn’t think I was disrespectful to Kyren in anyway. It was celebrating my shots at my time and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.”
Breaks of 59, 86, 79, 120, and 76 started the Murphy comeback as he finished the morning session level at 12-12. And he completed the job with further visits of 78, 91, 117, 77 and 58.
Devastated Wilson, who pocketed £100,000, said: “I think the fist pumps look a bit silly, it’s not for me.”
Murphy will now face Mark Selby, who beat Stuart Bingham 17-15 in the other semi-final.