Championship League: Shaun Murphy suffers shock early exit as Alfie Burden and Matthew Selt reach last 32 in Leicester
Updated 02/07/2025 at 09:46 GMT+1
World seniors champion Alfie Burden and former Indian Open winner Matthew Selt enjoyed solid performances at the Championship League in Leicester on Tuesday to reach the last 32 group phase of the ranking event. Burden topped Group 3, boosted by a 3-1 win over Masters champion Shaun Murphy, who lost all three matches in tumbling out. Meanwhile, Matthew Selt topped Group 22 with three wins.
Watch thrilling moment Murphy seals 147 to win match at World Open
Video credit: TNT Sports
Masters champion Shaun Murphy was bundled out of the Championship League in the first group stage after losing all three matches in Group 3 at Leicester's Mattioli Arena on Tuesday.
Murphy went down 3-1 to world seniors champion Alfie Burden in his tournament opener at the ranking event before suffering further 3-1 defeats to Robbie McGuigan and Bulcsu Revesz.
Despite losing his final match 3-1 to McGuigan, Burden advanced to the last-32 group phase ahead of McGuigan and Revesz on frame difference, with the 2023 tournament winner Murphy tumbling out at the bottom of the table.
Murphy produced 68 to take the first frame against Burden, who hit back with runs of 97 and 70 on his way to three points.
The former world champion then opened with 78 against McGuigan only for his opponent to produce sparkling runs of 128 and 136.
And Revesz compiled 104 on his way to condemning Murphy to a pointless day.
But world No. 34 Matthew Selt enjoyed a more profitable outing in winning all three matches to top Group 22 on nine points.
Breaks of 119, 92 and 100 helped him defeat Umut Dikme 3-1 before rolling in 67 and 91 in a 3-1 victory over Fergal Quinn.
A 57 saw him complete a perfect day with a 3-1 success against Scott Donaldson.
- Watch: Maguire misses century chance due to 'ill-timed ice cream van' in winning group
- O'Sullivan takes break from event where he smashed cue as Carter defends title
- Five key storylines as snooker returns with golden Reardon record under threat
The Championship League runs between June 30 and July 23, with 32 groups of four producing 32 winners, who are then split into eight groups of four.
Two final groups of four will determine who contests the final on July 23, with the winner earning £33,000 and a place in the Champion of Champions event in Leicester in November.
- - -
Watch and stream top snooker action live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement