Shaun Murphy spoke earlier this week about his motivation to win more Triple Crown events and he started his Masters campaign with a 6-4 win against Ali Carter to keep the dream alive.
The Magician did the damage early in the match hitting two centuries en route to opening up what proved to be an unassailable 4-0 lead at the mid-session.
But it was nearly a very different story as Carter fought back admirably to give the fans at Alexandra Palace a tense finish. In the end, it was probably Murphy’s confident frame of mind which enabled him to take Ali’s punches and eventually finish the job.
The world number six has been one of the form men on the snooker tour this season, explaining exactly why he’s considered as one of Ronnie O’Sullivan’s biggest threats to winning this week’s title.
He’s reached four big finals already this season and landed silverware at the prestigious Champion of Champions with a super impressive victory against O’Sullivan which will give him the belief he can deny the tournament favourite this week if they end up meeting in the final.
Murphy may not have been at his imperious best this afternoon, but he’s still alive and will know he can push through the gears – and will need to for his meeting with Judd Trump in the quarter-finals.
Shaun has always been a positive player but looks to be going for his shots more than ever before. He takes on almost every long pot and has found some greater consistency in the break-building department.
He will be a dangerous opponent whoever he plays and really looks to be reaping the rewards for his all-out attacking style, as though it makes his decision-making around the table much simpler.
Another cracker at this year's @dafabet Masters, as @Magician147 goes through to face @judd147t in the quarter finals! #dafabetmasters
