Shaun Murphy secured the first major title of his career at the World Snooker Championship on Saturday, defeating Mark Selby 18-14 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. It was a dominant performance from the 33-year-old, who won six frames in a row from 14-11 down to claim the world crown.
World number one Mark Selby has won the World Snooker Championship for the second time in three years after beating Shaun Murphy 18-15. The final was a tense match-up, and although both players were in impressive form throughout, Selby had the final say. Murphy played an almost perfect game to finish the match 15 points ahead, but Selby fought back to bring the score to 14-14. In the final frame, Selby potted the ball in the right pocket with a break of 110 to bring the score to 15-14, and despite Murphy’s desperate attempts to pot the green ball, Selby held on to his lead to win the match.
Sean Murphy admits Mark Selby broke him in the Crucible (Photo: Getty Images).
Sean Murphy says he was broken by Mark Selby in the second session of the World Snooker Championship final and admits the new champion has a patience no other player can match.
Selby defeated Murphy 18-15 in an excellent world title final at the Crucible in a largely evenly matched battle, but not Sunday night.
After a 5-3 win in the first round, Murphy lost 7-2 in the second round on Sunday and struggled on Monday, taking a 10-7 lead.
The two men split the remaining two sessions, but Selby won 18-15, and it was clear that everything depended on a win from Jester on Sunday night.
It wasn’t because of Selby’s lightning-fast play, although he hit five halfbacks in the seven frames he won, but because Murphy was fighting a tactical battle the Wizard should have lost all along.
Murphy admits he felt defeated at the time, and it ultimately cost him the world title.
He’s just super awesome, isn’t he, Murphy said after the loss. I’ve known him since he was nine years old, and he’s always stayed the same.
I started the match well and then he came on super strong and broke me last night [Sunday].
It wasn’t just a simple advantage he got, a three frame advantage in a game of this level, and in the end it probably played a decisive role.
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Speaking to Eurosport, Sean said: It’s very difficult. I’m not the only one having trouble solving Selby’s puzzle.
It seems like if you don’t get it done early, it’s going to be 10, 15, 20 minutes before the ball is on the field.
One trait Mark possesses better than anyone is patience, he’s just willing to wait a little longer than most of us.
Murphy has now competed in four world championships but only won one, and he certainly reflects on what could have been.
Yeah, sure [it’s frustrating], but we haven’t come this far just to get this far, Murphy said.
This is the third World Cup final defeat for me. I could be here as a four-time winner, but I’m not.
I guess I was lucky that a 22 year old picked up the trophy in 2005.
Mark Selby wins his fourth world title (Photo: Getty Images)
Few expected the Wizard to participate in this tournament after showing little form all season. Murphy will remember this tournament with pride after Covid caused him serious difficulties in travelling from his home in Ireland to the competition.
He thanked the fans who had once again flocked to the Crucible in large numbers for this year’s final, as well as his coach Chris Henry, who was in the unusual position of working with Murphy and Selby in the final.
For me personally, it’s been a difficult year on tour, with travel restrictions and all, but you got me again, Murphy told fans in Sheffield.
Chris and I have worked together since 2013 and he has been an integral part of my team ever since. Thanks for all you’ve done for the past eight years, but tomorrow morning he’s fired, he joked.
I’m very happy for Mark, frustrated himself but very happy to be part of such a great game.
Mark Selby left the dark days behind and won his fourth world snooker title.
PLUS Ronnie O’Sullivan rebukes Mark Selby but blames Sean Murphy again in controversy over World Cup final qualification.
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