TNT Sports
Shanghai Masters 2024: Shaun Murphy pulls off dramatic comeback against Mark Selby to move into final
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Published 19/07/2024 at 17:47 GMT+1
Shaun Murphy has been in markedly better form for the last couple of seasons and he carried that into his match-up with Mark Selby on Friday in the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters. Selby was 6-2 up and then 8-5 ahead but still managed to lose to his opponent, who pulled off a dramatic comeback as he notched five successive frames to reach Sunday's final.
Murphy claims fourth century to complete comeback win over Selby
Video credit: TNT Sports
Shaun Murphy expressed pride after coming from behind to beat Mark Selby 10-8 in the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters on Friday afternoon.
Selby had looked on course for a victory at two different points in the match in China, after going 6-2 up before being reeled in, and then reasserted his lead over Murphy to be 8-5 clear.
However, Murphy scored consistently when given the chance and notched five consecutive frames to move into Sunday’s final.
Selby made a break of 68 in the opener, followed by 136 in the third, as well as a 53, 72 and 73 as he scored heavily to go 6-2 clear.
Murphy displayed his confidence as he opened the second session with a 140, and two half-centuries followed as he made it three frames in a row to cut his deficit to 8-5.
Murphy has been in resurgent form over the last couple of seasons and has the non-ranking Championship League to his name for last year.
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Selby was the ranking Championship League winner from the same season, but he fell short in his pursuit of the title in Shanghai as Murphy closed out the win with back-to-back centuries (104 and 116).
Speaking after the match, Murphy was pleased with the strength he showed to fight back more than once in sealing victory.
He said: "In a long match like that, it shows how important the last frame of the first session was. I had no momentum at all. Mark really should have been 7-2 up at the interval, instead it was 6-3. It gave me a lifeline, it gave me a stepping stone.
"Tonight I played really well. I’m so proud. It was great to play in front of such a great audience, it was brilliant. The support was fantastic. The Chinese fans love snooker. It was really rewarding to put on a great show for everyone.
'It's never over until it's over. I'm a lot of things, but I'm not a quitter. I've never given up in my life. I had a little bit of luck at the right time. I rode my luck and scored well. I'm over the moon, I can't believe it."
Ronnie O’Sullivan takes on Judd Trump on Saturday, with the winner facing Murphy in Sunday’s final.
Looking ahead to Sunday's final, he added: "This is what you play for. This is what we dreamed of as boys, playing in big matches. Played them both before in big matches.
"I played Ronnie here a few years ago. I'm hoping to go one better. I’m looking forward to watching them slog it out until the wee small hours while I rest and look forward to what’s going to be a great match."
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