The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Murphy rolls back the years
Former world champion Shaun Murphy thrashed Kyren Wilson 9-1 to win the Welsh Open for the first time in Cardiff.
Murphy raced into a 7-1 lead in the afternoon session and wrapped up a one-sided victory with breaks of 102 and 73 when play resumed to secure the Ray Reardon Trophy and the top prize of £70,000.
“I knew from the outset I had to be on my game and the other thing I have to say is that I thought I had every little bit of run today,” said Murphy. “I had all the luck it was just embarrassing.”
Breaks of 108 and 84 gave Murphy a 2-0 lead and, although Wilson made breaks of 52, 45 and 64 in the next three frames, he broke down at crucial times and a ruthless Murphy took full advantage before a break of 76 put him 6-0 ahead.
Wilson finally got his first frame on the board in the next, but Murphy ended the session with a run of 134 and wasted no time in wrapping up his second title of the season in the brief evening session.
“I owe a lot of thank yous to people, including my wife and also my coach Chris (Henry),” Murphy added. “I had a lot of stern conversations in the summer about whether I still had it and whether I could still face it out there. They and a couple of others sort of nursed me back because I was almost gone. This is the first time I’ve won two ranking events in a season so that’s special. It’s not easy out here, it’s quite gladiatorial, we’re out here on our own, we don’t have team-mates or caddies – it’s difficult.”
Wilson, who had won a final-frame decider against five-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan in the semifinals, was quick to praise Murphy’s performance.
“I’m gutted I couldn’t put on more of a fight but Shaun was absolutely fantastic,” Wilson said. “He’s outplayed me in the long potting, break building and safety so I hold my hands up, the better player won.
“Snooker’s a tough sport, you’ve got to take these defeats on the chin and learn from them and hopefully come back stronger.”