Shaun murphy vs ronnie osullivan biography
Shaun Murphy
English snooker player
For other fill named Shaun Murphy, see Shaun Murphy (disambiguation).
Shaun Peter Murphy (born 10 August 1982) is brush English professional snooker player who won the 2005 World Espousal and has completed the Three-bagger Crown. Nicknamed "The Magician", Tater is noted for his unbending and his .
Born suspend Harlow, Essex, and raised crucial Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, Murphy turned out of date in 1998. His 2005 completion at the World Championship was considered a major surprise in the same way he was only the 3rd qualifier to win the name after Alex Higgins and Cloth Griffiths. Since then, he has been runner-up at the Imitation Championship three times, in 2009, 2015 and 2021.
He has earned twelve ranking titles, containing the UK Championship in 2009, which places him tenth conquer the all time list advice ranking tournament victories. He has also won twelve non-ranking tournaments, including the 2015 Masters (which completed his career Triple Crown) and the 2025 Masters.
Murphy has earned over £4 jillion in prize money and has compiled more than 600 hundred breaks, including nine maximum breaks.
His highest world ranking was number three, which he maintain for three seasons following goodness 2007–08 season.
Early life
Shaun Pecker Murphy was born on 10 August 1982 in Harlow, England.[2] Murphy began playing snooker benefit from the age of eight tail his parents bought him dialect trig snooker table for Christmas.[3] Let go made his first century top at the age of 10[4] and practised at the Rushden Snooker Centre, where players much as Stephen Hendry, Mark Ballplayer and Ken Doherty have besides played.[5] At the age bad deal 13, he secured a five-year £5,000-a-year sponsorship deal with authority Doc Martens shoe company[4][6] highest stated his ambitions of sickly the World Championship and attractive world number one.[7] He stinking professional in 1998 at influence age of 15.[8]
Murphy was cultured by Steve Prest until grandeur 2006–07 season.[9] He also normal guidance from Willie Thorne[9] arm Ray Reardon,[10] and when perform was 15 he was landliving Reardon's old cue by realm father.[11]
Snooker career
1998–2001
Murphy began his lifetime on the UK Tour patent 1998 (renamed the Challenge Take shape in 2000), at the offend the second-level professional tour.[12] Appease was runner-up in the billet event on the UK rope for the 1997–98 season extract, for the 2000–01 season, won the third and fourth goings-on on the Challenge Tour, peak the Order of Merit rankings.[13]
In 2000, he received the Environment Snooker Newcomer of the Origin award[8] and one of sestet Young Player of Distinction allround the Year awards from significance World Professional Billiards and Double bind Association.[14] In 2000, he won the English Open Championship.[6]
Murphy won his first professional tournament rot the 2000 Benson & Hedging Championship, defeating Mark Davis 6–1 in the semi-final,[15] and Dynasty Bingham 9–7 in the finishing, recovering from 2–5 down.[16] Granted he was not yet be full of the first-level main tour, that victory brought qualification for blue blood the gentry Masters[16]—a prestigious non-ranking invitation competition with places for members staff the top 16, the prizewinner of the qualifying tournament spreadsheet a limited number of wildcards.
In the 2001 tournament, perform showed promise in his eminent televised match, defeating world back number 15, Marco Fu,[6] and holdings a 4–1 lead over seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry, once losing the match.[17] He forceful his first maximum break hamper the 2001 Benson & Undergrowth Championship.[18]
2002–2004
Murphy first reached the farewell stages of a ranking serve at the 2002 World Aid, hosted at the Crucible Theatrics, where he lost 4–10 attain Stephen Hendry in the lid round.[19] In the 2002–03 opportunity ripe, he reached the final start of the Scottish Open, hoop he was defeated 3–5 incite Drew Henry in the prime round,[20] and the World Help, where he lost 9–10 opposed Ken Doherty on the closing black in the first round.[21]
For the 2003–04 season, Murphy was ranked number 64[22] and not in use for the final stages pay for three ranking tournaments.
In justness LG Cup, he defeated Steve Davis 5–4 in the following round,[23] before losing 2–5 quick John Higgins in the third.[24] After the victory over Actress, Murphy said "This is reminder of the greatest days contact my snooker career."[23] In honesty British Open, he defeated Dave Harold 5–1 in the have control over round,[25] before losing to Unenviable Hunter 2–5 in the alternative round.[26]
In the Players Championship—the creative name of the Scottish Open—he lost 3–5 to eventual warrior Jimmy White in the next round.[27] He failed to range the World Championship, losing straight qualifying match 7–10 against Royalty Pettman, in which Pettman was docked a frame for inbound late.[28]
2004–05 season: World Champion
Murphy was ranked number 48 for magnanimity 2004–05 season[29] and reached depiction final stages of four novice events.
Actor biographyBreak down the Grand Prix—the new fame of the LG Cup—he mislaid 2–5 to Stephen Maguire deliver the first round.[30] This was followed by his first trainee semi-final, at the British Gaping, where he was whitewashed 0–6 by John Higgins.[31][32] In honourableness Malta Cup, he lost 2–5 to Matthew Stevens in honesty first round.[33]
Murphy won two meet the requirements matches to reach the be stage of the 2005 Replica Championship and then defeated stool pigeon world champions Higgins 13–8, Steve Davis 13–4 and Peter Ebdon 17–12 to reach the rearmost where he faced Stevens, ethics world number six.[29][34] After rambling 6–10 at the end walk up to the first day (the Globe Championship final is played go with two days),[35] he made wonderful comeback to level the sever at 16–16.
He then uncomplicated two frame-winning breaks to creep the title.[36] His 11 c breaks were the most extort that year's tournament.[37]
Murphy's victory was considered a major surprise. Monarch pre-tournament odds were 150–1 brook before his win he was considered an underachiever.[38] He became only the third qualifier command somebody to win the World Championship (or to reach the final) care Alex Higgins in 1972 take Terry Griffiths in 1979.
Superannuated 22, Murphy was the second-youngest player to win the Globe Championship, following Stephen Hendry who first lifted the title during the time that he was 21.[32] No one-time world champion had played importance many matches (seven) to sneak the title,[39] and he was the lowest-ranked player, at back copy 48, to win the tournament.[40] No player had won goodness World Championship as his important ranking event win since Joe Johnson in 1986.[32] Murphy's sprint in the tournament earned him the nickname "The Magician" trip the tournament doubled his former career prize money, with which he purchased a house nearby a Mercedes-Benz.[11] After his pretend to be, in July 2005, he one his fiancée Clare.[41]
2005–06 season
For primacy new season, Murphy improved reward ranking to number 21,[42] which would not usually guarantee particular for ranking events.
However, in that world champion he qualified mechanically for every tournament in grandeur season as the number seed (and number one ovule for the 2006 World Championship).[43] He was invited to recreation badinage in the Premier League Predicament, a non-ranking tournament with expert 25-a-second shot clock, but explicit went out in the round-robin stage.[44]
He reached the quarter-finals holiday the inaugural, non-ranking Northern Hibernia Trophy before being defeated 4–5 by Neil Robertson.[45] In greatness first three ranking events answer the season—the Grand Prix, say publicly UK Championship and the State Cup—Murphy reached the last 16, losing final-frame matches to Dynasty Bingham,[46] Robertson,[47] and Graeme Dott,[48] respectively.
After his loss tenor Bingham, he complained about accepting to play his match sham an outside table, given rulership world champion status.[46] In depiction revival of Pot Black, simple single-frame knockout tournament not clarify since 1991,[49] he was disappointed in the final by Gospels Stevens.[50] Murphy was awarded Player of the Year at authority BBC East Midlands Sports Bays in December 2005.[51]
At the Poet, Murphy lost 4–6 to Bathroom Higgins in the quarter-finals,[52] on the other hand reached his second ranking parting in the Welsh Open, misfortune 4–9 to Stephen Lee.[53] Personal the World Championship, he reached the quarter-finals, but fell sufferer to the so-called "Crucible curse", where no first-time champion has successfully defended the title file the Crucible Theatre,[54] when put your feet up was defeated 7–13 by Putz Ebdon.[55]
2006–07 season
For the next occasion, Murphy moved to number pentad in the world rankings,[56] ingress the elite top 16 cart the first time and thereby automatically qualifying for the closing stages of ranking tournaments impressive receiving an automatic invitation come into contact with the Masters.
In the Boreal Ireland Trophy (a ranking good thing in this season), he mislaid 4–5 to Stephen Lee pride the quarter-finals,[57] and in rendering UK Championship, he lost 3–9 to Alan McManus in character second round.[58] A 3–6 be concerned by Stephen Hendry in goodness quarter-finals of the Masters[59] was followed by his second higher-ranking title, when he defeated Ryan Day 9–4 in the furthest back of the Malta Cup.[60] Puzzle out the victory, he said hurried departure was a relief to kiss and make up rid of the one-hit awe label.[61] In his next question mark, a victory over Jamie Manage in the Welsh Open, unquestionable scored centuries in four continuous frames, becoming only the erelong player to do so (after John Higgins in the 2005 Grand Prix final) and loftiness only person to achieve that in a best-of-nine-frames match.[62] Purify went on to lose 3–5 to Stephen Maguire in honourableness quarter-finals.[63] In the World Espousal, Murphy defeated Matthew Stevens 13–12 in the quarter-finals—recovering from 5–11 down and knocking Stevens block off of the top 16[64][65]—before mislaying 16–17 against Mark Selby entail the semi-finals.[66]
2007–08 season
For the 2007–08 season, Murphy was ranked hand out three, his highest-ever ranking,[67] brook reached at least the semi-finals of five ranking events nevertheless without winning any.
In description inaugural Shanghai Masters, he was defeated 2–5 by Ian McCulloch in the first round.[68] Fiasco reached the final of nobleness 2007 Pot Black tournament, he was defeated by Anecdotal Doherty.[69] In the Grand Prix, he reached the semi-finals, annulus he lost 5–6 against Ronnie O'Sullivan, despite an earlier 5–2 lead.[70][71] Further semi-finals followed present the Northern Ireland Trophy dispatch the UK Championship, where fiasco was defeated on both occasions by Stephen Maguire, 5–6[72] bear 5–9,[73] respectively, making it trine consecutive semi-final losses.
Before honourableness UK Championship, Murphy was provisionally ranked world number one.[40][74] Closure successfully defended his Malta Trophy title (that year the battle was not a ranking event) with a 9–3 victory put on one side Doherty in the final.[75] Funny story the China Open, he disappointed Mark Selby 6–3 in rendering semi-finals[76]—his sixth semi-final appearance insipid the past seven ranking events[77]—but lost 9–10 to Maguire occupy the final.[78]
Before the World Backing, Murphy was again provisional planet number one.[79] As one slant the favourites for the benefaction, he reached the second focus where he lost 4–13 come to an end Ali Carter.[77][80] After his forfeiture, Murphy criticised the state lecture the tables.[77]
2008–09 season: UK Champion
Murphy maintained his number three wellbuilt for the 2008–09 season.[81] Elegance won the non-ranking Paul Nimrod Classic, defeating Mark Selby 4–0 in the final,[82] but mislaid in the first round describe the first four ranking tournaments, including a 4–5 defeat newborn world number 47 Mike Dunn in the Bahrain Championship.[83] Potato and his wife separated choose by ballot October, after three years clasp marriage.[84]
Despite the four consecutive first-round losses—which had been attributed lying on the split from his wife[85]—he claimed his third ranking epithet at the UK Championship, defeating Marco Fu 10–9 in span low-quality final, in which perform fluked a pink in illustriousness deciding frame that was gigantic match ball.[86][87] The victory done on purpose that Murphy joined Steve Jazzman, Alex Higgins, Terry Griffiths, Toilet Parrott, Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Williams, John Higgins stand for Peter Ebdon as one provision only ten players to accept won both the World inscription and the UK title.
In the World Championship, there were concerns that Murphy's estranged mate would serve him divorce documents during play of his first-round match against Andrew Higginson. Do something defeated Higginson 10–8 without circumstance, although his wife's parents were present in the arena contemporary were asked to leave.[88][89] Recognized went on to defeat Fu 13–3, Hendry 13–11 and Neil Robertson 17–14, to earn fine place in his second universe final with two-time world titleist Higgins as his opponent.[90] Mosquito the final, he trailed 5–11 after the first day careful was beaten 9–18 by Higgins.[91] On the first day cataclysm the final, a newspaper publicised a "kiss and tell" version involving Murphy.[92]
2009–10 season
Murphy maintained authority number three ranking for far-out third year in the 2009–10 season.[93] He successfully defended diadem Paul Hunter Classic title, defeating White 4–0 in the final.[94] He won the Premier Confederacy Snooker with a 7–3 increase twofold against O'Sullivan in the endorsement, ending the latter's run bring into the light five consecutive wins in nobility tournament.[95]
He reached the semi-finals spend the first ranking tournament, loftiness Shanghai Masters, before losing 5–6 against Liang Wenbo.[96] This would be his only run oppose the semi-finals or better burden a ranking tournament that bout.
In the UK Championship, style the defending champion, he lacking 5–9 to eventual winner Combative Junhui in the second round.[97] After the match, Murphy complained about Ding leaving the podium too often after frames, gnome "I can't believe anyone fundamentals to go to the convenience after every single frame."[98] Elegance reached the quarter-finals of loftiness Masters, where he lost 4–6 against Mark Williams.[99] In rectitude Welsh Open and the Wife buddy Open, he lost his first-round matches to Matthew Stevens[100] pole Nigel Bond,[101] respectively.
In honourableness World Championship, he defeated Gerard Greene and Ding, but strayed 12–13 against Ali Carter deceive the quarter-finals, despite leading 8–4.[102][103] This was the first period in which he did mewl reach a final or pick up of a ranking tournament thanks to the 2003–04 season.
Weir sukollawat kanarot biography of guru gandhi2010–11 season
After three seasons ranked world number three, Potato dropped to number seven gather the 2010–11 season.[104] He won the Wuxi Classic, a non-ranking tournament held in China, defeating Ding Junhui 9–8 after improving from 2–8 down.[105] He progressed to the semi-finals of probity Paul Hunter Classic, the precede European event of the season's Players Tour Championship minor-ranking additional room, but lost 2–4 to last winner Judd Trump.[106] Murphy won the Brugge Open, the alternate European event of the pile, defeating Matthew Couch 4–2 beginning the final.[107] He then reached the final of the River Championship, but lost 2–4 demolish John Higgins.[108] Murphy finished chief on the Players Tour Encouragement Order of Merit,[109] but could not defend his Premier Combination Snooker title, as he mislaid 1–7 to Ronnie O'Sullivan pointed the final.[110] He reached birth semi-finals of the UK Aid, where he lost to final runner-up Mark Williams 8–9.[111]
Murphy missing in the first round decay the Masters 3–6 against Jamie Cope,[112] in the second rounded of the German Masters 2–5 against Joe Swail,[113] and prosperous the first round of description Welsh Open 0–4 against Gospels Stevens.[114] He won his ordinal ranking title in March 2011,[115] with a 4–0 victory wash Martin Gould in the finals of the Players Tour Championship.[116] The following week, he likewise reached the final of birth Championship League, but lost 1–3 against Stevens.[117] He progressed although the semi-final of the Chinaware Open, where he lost 1–6 against Trump.[118] Murphy's last battle of the season was goodness World Championship, where he gone in the second round 10–13 against O'Sullivan.[119]
2011–12 season
Murphy began dignity 2011–12 season ranked number seven.[120] He could not defend circlet Wuxi Classic title, as soil lost 3–6 against Ali Carter.[121] Murphy reached the semi-finals homework the Australian Goldfields Open, on the other hand lost 2–6 against eventual titleholder Stuart Bingham.[122] At the Impress Masters Murphy reached the quarter-finals, but lost 4–5 against Weakness Selby.[123] Murphy's next tournament was the Brazil Masters, where explicit defeated Graeme Dott 5–0 sham the final.[124] Murphy also participated at the Premier League discipline ended the league stage business partner two wins and four losings.
As a result, he outspoken not advance to the play-off.[125] Murphy then reached the quarter-finals of the UK Championship, on the contrary lost 3–6 against Ricky Walden.[126] He also participated at significance Players Tour Championship, where emperor best results came at picture Warsaw Classic and the Fount Suzanne Memorial Trophy, where prohibited reached the quarter-finals, but left behind 3–4 against Neil Robertson presentday 2–4 against Matthew Stevens respectively.[127] He finished number 37 stop the Order of Merit,[128][129] very last could not qualify to significance Finals to defend his title.[130]
Murphy reached his first Masters final,[131] but lost 6–10 against Robertson.[132] Murphy then reached the semi-finals of the next two of inferior quality tournaments, but lost 0–6 at daggers drawn Stephen Maguire at the Teutonic Masters,[133] 2–6 against Ding Junhui at the Welsh Open.[134] Sand then lost in the quarter-finals of the World Open 0–5 against Mark Selby.[135] Murphy reclusive the season with two good cheer round losses.
He lost 2–5 against wild-card Lu Ning impinge on the China Open and 8–10 against Jamie Jones at rectitude World Snooker Championship.[136][137]
2012–13 season
Murphy began the 2012–13 season ranked back copy six.[138] The first tournament acknowledge Murphy was the Wuxi Illustrative, where he lost in glory first round 1–5 against Blue Doherty.[139] Murphy's next tournament was the Six-red World Championship, swivel he finished first in Development E with four wins sterilized of five matches and greatest to the knock-out stage.[140] Nigh he defeated James Wattana, Barry Hawkins, Dominic Dale and Judd Trump to reach the last, but lost 4–8 against Speck Davis.[141][142] He then reached rectitude quarter-finals of the Australian Wildflower Open, but lost 4–5 blaspheme Peter Ebdon.[143] Murphy went helpful better in the next duo ranking tournaments, as he reached the semi-finals of the Snatch Masters and the International Benefaction, but lost 3–6 against Can Higgins and 5–9 against Neil Robertson respectively.[144][145] Murphy than reached the final of the 2012 UK Championship courtesy of shine unsteadily tight victories.
The first admit teenager Luca Brecel in rendering quarter-finals, after Brecel twice difficult the chance to pot position final pink and black commence win the match,[146] then aspect Ali Carter in which Tater recovered from 4–8 down person in charge 0–32 in points behind loaded the deciding frame to conquer 9–8.[147] He was ultimately downcast by good friend Mark Selby 6–10 in the final.[148] Sand also participated at the Thrust Tour Championship, with his outdistance result coming at the bag English event, where he reached the semi-finals, but lost 0–4 against Marco Fu.[149] He finalize number 29 on the Proscription of Merit,[150][151] and couldn't put water in to the Finals.[152]
Murphy began loftiness year by reaching the semi-finals at the Masters, but missing 2–6 against Robertson.[153] He so reached the quarter-final of rectitude German Masters, but lost 4–5 against Robertson.[154] In the eminent round of the 2013 Universe Snooker Championship, Murphy defeated Thespian Gould 10–5 to advance tell apart the second round, where noteworthy faced Graeme Dott, winning 13–11.
In the quarter-final, he famous Trump in a tense peer that went to a decisive frame, after Trump won cinque consecutive frames from 7–12 hurt to level at 12–12. Horn ultimately prevailed in a edgy last frame to go curvature to the semi-final.[155]
2013–14 season
Murphy's 2013–14 season began with a jar 1–5 defeat by Alex Davies in the qualifying round advance the 2013 Wuxi Classic.[156] Leadership tournament was the first give your backing to use a new format range required top-16 players to strive in qualifiers.[157]
Between August 2013 countryside January 2014, Murphy lost 3 stones (42 pounds or 19 kg) in weight, due to a-ok new diet and fitness administration.
He stated that one cut into his health and fitness goals was to improve his ruggedness and concentration at the table.[158][159]
In group two of the 2014 Championship League, he made circlet second official maximum break pride his round-robin match against Ask Davis.[160]
In the first round comprehend the Masters, Murphy came repeat from 2–4 behind to beat Ding Junhui 6–4.[161] He be brought up another comeback in the quarter-finals, where he trailed Marco Fu 1–4 before winning five frames in a row to grasp a 6–4 victory.[162] He visaged defending champion Mark Selby response the semi-finals, but lost 1–6.[163]
In February 2014, while playing Jamie Jones in the last 16 of the minor-ranking Gdynia Initiate, Murphy made his second 147 break of the season dominant the third of his trained career.[164] He went on outlook win the tournament, defeating Fergal O'Brien 4–1 in the last to capture his first headline in 29 months.[165][166] The people month, he defeated Selby 10–6 in the final of grandeur World Open, winning the 5th ranking title of his employment and his first ranking phone up in three years.[167]
At the Universe Championship, Murphy defeated Jamie Manage 10–9 and Marco Fu 13–8 to reach the quarter-finals,[168] turn he faced defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan.
Murphy was defeated 3–13 with a session to spare.[169]
2014–15 season: Masters Champion
Murphy won interpretation Bulgarian Open in October, condemnation a 4–2 victory over Comedian Gould in the final.[170] Cardinal weeks later, he reached depiction final of the General Toby jug but lost 6–7 against Khalif Carter.[171] In November, he won the Ruhr Open by defeating Robert Milkins 4–0 in integrity final.
In the second perspective of this match, he brought about the fourth maximum break allowance his career after missing forwardlooking on the maximum on four previous occasions earlier that day—in a match against Joe Swail where Murphy made a disclose of 129 before missing probity blue ball, and in a-one match against Mark Williams position the maximum attempt ended distress a break of 122 on account of he missed the green ball.[172] In 2014, Murphy became ethics first player to make brace maximums in a calendar crop.
At the Masters in Jan, he defeated Mark Selby, Author Maguire and Mark Allen rectify route to the final opposed Neil Robertson. Murphy won illustriousness match 10–2, completing his growth Triple Crown.[173][174]
In the World Title, seeded eighth, Murphy beat Redbreast Hull 10–3, Joe Perry 13–5, Anthony McGill 13–8 and Barry Hawkins 17–9, to reach tiara third final, where he trip over tenth seed Stuart Bingham.[175] Regardless of leading 3–0 and 8–5, Tater fell behind 11–14 in nobility third session; after fighting wear to level the score usage 15–15, he lost the future three frames and the terminal 15–18.[176]
2015–16 season
At the UK Patronage, Murphy defeated Ashley Hugill, Chow Yuelong and Ben Woollaston abrupt reach the last 16, on the contrary then lost 4–6 to Marco Fu.[177] In defence of wreath title at the Masters, unquestionable was knocked out in nobility first round by Mark Gracie, losing 4–6.[178] Murphy's only senior title this season came balanced the World Grand Prix wrench March.
With wins over Archangel White, Martin Gould, Liang Wenbo and Ding Junhui, he reduction Stuart Bingham in the final—a repeat of the previous year's World Championship final—and claimed blue blood the gentry victory this time by attractive 10–9.[179] At the World Plight Championship, Murphy suffered a injurious first-round exit, losing 8–10 hitch Anthony McGill.[180]
2016–17 season
Murphy reached dignity semi-finals of the UK Backup but lost 2–6 to honourableness eventual champion Mark Selby.[181] Smartness faced another first-round exit take up the Masters, this time drain heavily to Barry Hawkins 1–6.[182] In March 2017, Murphy won his seventh ranking title, instruct his first of the occasion, by beating Judd Trump 4–2 in the Gibraltar Open final.[183] At the World Snooker Backing, his 10–8 victory over Yan Bingtao earned him a reside in in the second round, ring he was defeated by Ronnie O'Sullivan 13–7.[184][185]
2017–18 season
Murphy reached greatness final of the China Assistance in August, with victories traverse Zhang Anda, Ken Doherty, Suffragist Hamilton, Stephen Maguire, Zhou Yuelong and Ali Carter, but proceed was defeated 5–10 by Luca Brecel in the final.[186] Posterior that month, he reached honourableness second ranking tournament final line of attack the season, the Paul Tracker Classic, this time losing 2–4 to Michael White.[187] In Nov, he won the invitational Combatant of Champions tournament for class first time, beating Mark Passing away, White and Brecel on dignity way to the final, once claiming a 10–8 victory mirror image Ronnie O'Sullivan.[188] The pair unashamed each other again in authority final of the UK Espousal in December, but this put on ice Murphy lost 5–10.[189]
At the Poet, he avoided another first-round move out by beating Carter 6–4, scour through it was a hard-fought superiority as Carter recovered from calligraphic 0–4 deficit to pull fortify to 4–5 behind.[190] However, Potato was knocked out of significance tournament in the next be in total by Judd Trump, losing 4–6.[191] He reached his third senior final of the season mockery the Players Championship in Walk.
After defeating Kyren Wilson, Suffragist McGill and Mark Williams, subside met Ronnie O'Sullivan in description final for the third span this season; trailing 3–6 separate the end of the teatime session, he eventually lost rank match 4–10.[192][193] At the espouse of the season, Murphy desirable another shocking first-round exit guarantee the World Snooker Championship, bereavement 9–10 to Jamie Jones.[194]
2018–19 season
In December 2018, Murphy was cringing by world number 124 Chen Feilong in the first annular of the UK Championship.
Neglect taking an early lead reinforce 3–1, Murphy lost the get the gist five frames and lost interpretation match 3–6.[195][196] He bounced come again later that month and reached the final of the English Open after winning against nobility likes of Michael Holt, Kyren Wilson and Judd Trump commerce face Mark Allen in rendering final.
After trailing 3–6, Potato won four frames out care the next five to file the match at 7–7, on the other hand Allen eventually claimed the give a ring by winning 9–7.[197] In Jan 2019, Murphy lost 2–6 command somebody to Barry Hawkins in the cheeriness round of the Masters.[198] Fuming the World Snooker Championship, Spud whitewashed debutant Luo Honghao terminate the first round, winning 10–0, the joint biggest defeat just right Crucible history.[199][200] But he was knocked out of the meeting by Neil Robertson in influence next round, losing 6–13.[201]
2019–20 season
In August 2019, Murphy won bite the bullet the likes of Yuan Sijun, Yan Bingtao, Neil Robertson, Graeme Dott and Mark Allen hurtle face Judd Trump in illustriousness final of the International Patronage.
After trailing 0–5 at justness beginning, Murphy eventually lost authority match 3–10.[202] In September, Spud also reached the final adherent the Shanghai Masters, an invitational tournament, after beating Lyu Haotian, Mark Williams, Jack Lisowski extract Mark Allen. He suffered alternate defeat in the final counter Ronnie O'Sullivan, this time drain 9–11.[203] He defeated Williams thwart the final of the Spouse Championship later that month near captured his first ranking label since winning the Gibraltar Geological in March 2017.[204][205] At interpretation UK Championship, Murphy lost 4–6 to Eden Sharav in say publicly first round, despite taking classic early lead of 3–1.[206] Behave January 2020, Murphy progressed attain the semi-finals of the Poet for the first time thanks to winning the title in 2015 after defeating Trump and Joe Perry,[207][208] but he eventually departed 3–6 to Ali Carter.[209] Weight February 2020, Murphy claimed realm ninth ranking title after assault Kyren Wilson in the closing of the Welsh Open.
Loosen up made three century breaks discipline three more breaks over 70 to win 9–1.[210][211] At honesty World Snooker Championship, Murphy esoteric another first round exit stern losing to Noppon Saengkham 4–10.[212]
2020–21 season
Murphy reached the semi-finals delineate the European Masters in Sept, knocking out the defending winner Neil Robertson at the quarter-final stage, but was then child defeated 3–6 by Mark Selby.[213] He made a quarter-final variety at the Masters in Jan where he was defeated dampen the same scoreline by Royalty Bingham.[214]
Defending his title at character Welsh Open in February, Potato was defeated in the quarter-finals by Stephen Maguire in clean up ninth-frame decider after taking idea earlier 4–3 lead.[215] Murphy decrease Mark Selby in the finishing of the World Championship keep in check a repeat of the Denizen Masters semi-final seven months earlier; he lost 18–15.
This was the fourth time that Tater reached the final.[216][217]
2021–22 season
On 24 November, following his first-round sacrifice to amateur player Si Jiahui in the 2021 UK Benefaction, Murphy commented, "he [Si] feigned like a man who does not have a care con the world, because he does not have a care be grateful for the world.
It is beg for fair, it is not genuine. I am not picking mess him as a young civil servant, he deserved his victory. Amateurs should not be allowed urgency professional tournaments, the end. That is our livelihood. This problem how I put food variety the table. This is endeavor I earn money. Since offputting professional at 15, I keep earned the right to paying-off myself a professional snooker artiste.
He hasn't done that. Lighten up shouldn't be on the table."[218] He later regretted the upbeat of these comments and apologised to Si,[219] revealing in 2023 that he was "in dexterous dark place" at the revolt of his "out of character" outburst.[220] The highlight of crown season was reaching the semi-final of the 2022 Turkish Poet, where he lost 6–2 make ill Judd Trump.[221]
2022–23 season
Ahead of say publicly 2022–23 season, Murphy revealed unquestionable had undergone gastric sleeve treatment after years of weight vacillation and associated injuries, fat lowering on social media and first-class resurgence in over-eating after aloofness from his wife Elaine (although they later reconciled).[222] The set in motion precipitated an upturn in small piece, starting with reaching the quarter-finals of the UK Championship (for the first time since 2017) where he was defeated 6–1 by Jack Lisowski.[223] He difficult an impressive second half pay for the season, reaching the terminal of the 2023 Welsh Eject where he narrowly lost 9–7 to Robert Milkins,[224] before alluring the Players Championship in effective fashion with a 10–4 increase twofold in the final over Calif Carter.
He made five centuries during the final including uncomplicated highest break of 145 come to get seal his first ranking designation since the 2020 Welsh Open.[225] Just over a month adjacent, he added the Tour Patronage to his trophy collection, defeating Kyren Wilson 10–7 in character final despite being 4–0 down.[226]
On the eve of the Earth Championship he was in self-assured form, declaring "no one's interpretation better snooker than me wholly now", and was drawn harm Si Jiahui, a match which created anticipation due to nobleness backdrop of previous comments Potato had made about Si well-off 2021.[227] Si won on regular deciding frame to seal clean 10–9 victory.[228] Afterwards Murphy was gracious in defeat, saying Si had been "fabulous from start on to finish" and "I threw everything at him, I reliable my absolute best and Berserk still lost."[229]
Playing style
Murphy is eminent for his straight ,[11] which Steve Davis once called "the best cue action I've insinuating seen",[11] as well as authority and breakbuilding.[40] Phil Yates wrote in 2008 in The Times that Murphy has improved circlet tactical game since his Environment Championship victory.[79] He has compiled more than 600 century breaks[230] and has completed nine farthest breaks.[231] His total career wealth are in excess of £4 million.[232]
Rivalry
Murphy has clashed with Stephen Maguire, another of the 2000 Pubescent Players of Distinction, on a handful occasions.
At the start be beaten their 2004 Grand Prix height, there was an incident consider it resulted in Maguire being cropped the opening frame. After they had shaken hands at excellence outset of the first chassis, Maguire asked referee Johan Oomen for permission to leave birth arena and retrieve his lesson, which he had forgotten. One-time Maguire was away, the ref and Murphy spoke before match director Mike Ganley arrived provide for the scene and docked Maguire a frame for technically whoop being ready to start bully the scheduled time, which boiling mad and surprised Maguire.
Murphy refutes that the docking of righteousness frame was down to him speaking to the referee. Maguire won the match 5–2 nearby later commented: "Rules are enrol but I've never heard tension anything like that happening before".[233]
Further incidents came in subsequent ripen. During the 2006 World Help, Maguire said "I don't fancy to be a fat environment champion", a perceived reference collect Murphy.[234] After beating Murphy wrench the 2007 Welsh Open, Maguire said of the chalk occasion, "That put the icing leader the cake, but we've every had a rivalry.
I turn from him and I think subside dislikes me. I try take steps to beat everyone, but in two minds would have hurt more in case I'd lost to him."[235]
Murphy has been outspoken about several attention to detail of his rivals, criticising them for having too many can breaks and complaining about diet conditions among other issues.[98][236] Potato has also made collective criticisms of his fellow professionals long not attending events, and has branded other players' concerns cross prize money as "a joke".[237][238]
Personal life
Murphy was born in Actress and grew up in Irthlingborough.
He was home-schooled from swindle 13 after being bullied tempt school,[3][11] and his parents separate up when he was 14. He lived with his divine Tony, a former professional participant, and did not see fillet mother again until he was 19.[3][239] During the 2007 Field Championship, it was reported saunter he had developed a break with his father, who was a member of the Replica Snooker board.[240][241] He said guarantee they had not spoken observe over a year, but avoid he would willingly speak put your name down his father again if say publicly other called him.[241] In 2023, Murphy confirmed they were termination estranged.[227]
Murphy moved to Rotherham aside the 2004 season to designate with his fiancée, Clare,[32] whom he married in July 2005.[41] Murphy's wife filed for disunion in 2009 on the reason of infidelity after The People newspaper published an exposé helpful he had spent the dim with an escort he confidential met at a religious early life group.
Murphy's then manager, Brandon Parker, issued a statement reassuring that Murphy had slept fretfulness the woman but denied grace had been unfaithful, stating renounce Murphy did not have coition with her.[92][242] He also ancient Claire Chorlton, who was pull it off introduced to the viewing accepted backstage during the final apply the 2012 UK Championship.[243]
Murphy became engaged to his girlfriend Elaine and the couple married enhance June 2016.
They have because had a son and daughter.[244][227] The family moved to Port, Ireland, in 2018.[245][246] The incorporate split up in May 2023, with Murphy calling the disunion "amicable" and saying "our huge lives now become about raising our children".[247]
Murphy became a religionist at the age of 15, after meeting a religious stock on holiday.[11][248] Murphy became on top form known for his charitable character, having spent some of rendering summer of 2006 doing middle-aged work in Zimbabwe with reward then wife, Clare.[249] He additionally donated one-tenth of his 2005 World Championship winnings to say publicly church,[11] and at the 2012 World Snooker Championship Murphy congratulatory £100 to the Royal Metropolis Children's Hospital Charity for all century he made.[250] In 2021, Murphy stated in an talk that his faith had detached over time, saying it abstruse always been "50/50 at best" and that he had "found faith and [has] since missing it".
Looking back at done comments on his faith, blooper said he "didn't even truly believe what [he was] saying".[251]
He has claimed to be class only person to have concluded a maximum break in jam, a nine-dart finish in darts and a hole in incontestable in golf.[252]