Masters 2025: Neil Robertson left 'shocked' as Shaun Murphy fails to make 147 maximum break - 'What a shame'

Neil Robertson was left "shocked" as he watched Shaun Murphy fail to make a maximum break in the pair's Masters quarter-final clash at Alexandra Palace on Thursday. Murphy came agonisingly close to seeing out the match in the perfect style but made a blunder when moving on to the colours. His break eventually fell apart at 120 as he booked his place in the semi-final for the second year running.

'Oh you're kidding!' - Murphy falls short of 147 break as century wraps up victory

Video credit: TNT Sports

Shaun Murphy had the chance to sink only the sixth-ever 147 maximum break at the Masters when he defeated Neil Robertson 6-2 in the quarter-finals on Thursday.

Murphy fell just short of the magical number, but his impressive effort made sure of his spot in the semi-finals - live on Eurosport and discovery+ - for the second successive year.

In the eighth and decisive frame, Murphy moved well clear of Robertson and potted the final three reds in style before moving on to the colours.

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He looked in pole position for his first maximum in a Triple Crown event, but as he sent down the penultimate black, snookered himself on the yellow.

Robertson, who would exit the tournament at the end of Murphy's break, had his hand over his mouth, shaking his head in disbelief at how the action was unfolding.

"Surely not, surely not..." Eurosport commentator Neal Foulds said, as the cue ball rolled up behind the blue, blocking the path to the yellow.

"Oh, you're kidding! For once, it was a little bit of a timid shot, Murphy very rarely does that.

"Even Robertson is shocked! if he makes it now, it will be the most memorable [147] ever probably."

'I couldn't breathe!' - Murphy reacts after 'exciting' 147 maximum attempt

Video credit: TNT Sports

But it was not to be for 'The Magician' who, with the match already wrapped up, went for an audacious shot off two cushions in an attempt to get a connection on the elusive yellow.

"What a shame, that went so wrong so unexpectedly," David Hendon added as the cue ball evaded the object ball dropped into the top right pocket.

"No maximum, but Shaun Murphy has played superbly today."

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