Shaun Murphy makes history by breaking long-standing Ronnie O'Sullivan record at China Open - 'Extraordinary display'

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Shaun Murphy made history in his China Open match against Matthew Selt, setting a new points-without-reply record of 607 in a single match and surpassing Ronnie O'Sullivan's previous benchmark of 556 at the 2014 Masters.

O'Sullivan seals victory over Page with classy century

Video credit: TNT Sports

The Magician was in formidable form in the last-32 clash, making breaks of 61, 132, 103, 139 and 113 in the first five frames.

It was not until the sixth frame that Selt potted a ball, by which time Murphy had accumulated 607 unanswered points.

That was mere consolation for Selt, who fell to a 6-0 defeat having been outclassed.

While Murphy broke the record, O'Sullivan was in action on the other table against Jackson Page.

"While he's been at the interval, one of his long-standing records has gone on the other table," said TNT Sports commentator Dave Hendon.

"An extraordinary display by Shaun Murphy, who's broken O'Sullivan's points-without-reply record. He's playing unbelievably.

"Quite incredible. That could stand for a long, long time."

O'Sullivan's record, which he set in an equally dominant 6-0 win over Ricky Walden at Alexandra Palace, had stood for 12 years.

Murphy now has some bragging rights, but his main aim will be to win the China Open for the first time.

The 43-year-old reached the final of the event in 2008, losing 10-9 to Stephen Maguire in Beijing.

Murphy will play Xiao Guodong in the last 16 after the Chinese star beat Anthony McGill 6-3.

O'Sullivan also progressed to the next round with a 6-2 victory over Page as he looks to win the tournament for the first time since 2000.

Elsewhere on Sunday, there was a shock for world No. 1 Judd Trump, who was beaten 6-3 by Noppon Saengkham.

Mark Williams and Barry Hawkins were also knocked out at the first hurdle on Saturday, after defeats to Zhou Yuelong and Liu Hongyu respectively.

You can watch every day of the China Open live on TNT Sports.

It is available both live and on-demand on HBO Max.

All matches up to and including the semi-finals will be the best of 11 frames. The final will be the best of 19 frames.

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