TRUMP BITTER BUT MURPHY’S NO TWITTER QUITTER

SHAUN MURPHY played through the pain barrier to secure a stunning victory over Judd Trump at the UK Championship.

The 40-year-old (left) edged past the Juddernaut 6-5 in York despite hinting before the match that he might have to withdraw with back and neck problems. The world No.13, who is on painkillers, made three centuries as he roared back from 5-3 down.

Murphy said: “I was very close to pulling out. The pain didn’t go but I played through it.

“I got a taxi to find a massage gun before the match because I couldn’t bend down and practise on Wednesday night. “The first fourfifths of the match were agony, very painful. But you either quit or carry on. I probably reached and stretched for a few shots that I shouldn’t and that may yet come back to bite me. That comeback has to be up there with the best of my results in the last couple of years. But I have never been a quitter and didn’t let my head drop.”

Trump (left) said: “I had seen the tweet he did in the morning – but him knocking in a century in the first frame put all doubt to bed. He was fine. He played like he wasn’t injured. And, if he was, maybe he should stay injured. I never believe anything I read on Twitter. People exaggerate and try to take the pressure off themselves. I knew it was going to be a battle.”

Ding Junhui set up a quarter-final clash against Ronnie O’sullivan today by beating Jamie Clarke 6-1.