England’s Shaun Murphy breezes past compatriot Ricky Walden in first round of 2012 Haikou World Open
Former World Snooker Champion, England’s Shaun Murphy finally ousted compatriot Ricky Walden by the score line of 5-3 after bouncing back from 2-3 in the first round of 2012 Haikou World Open.
The first round clash between Murphy and Walden seemed a tussling encounter from the start as both potters went neck and neck in the first session but the scenario changed after the interval and Murphy sprang back into the game to claim his overall victory
by two frames at 5-3.
While speaking to the World Snooker after clinching his first victory in the 2012 World Open, Murphy said, “It was a very difficult match against a great player. Ricky is a good friend of mine so it was always going to be difficult. I'm pleased to get through
and happy to still be in the tournament.”
The Magician added, “I've been playing well recently, it's been a good year, I'm up in the rankings and improving all the time. It's one match at time of course but I'm going to try to win it.”
The 29-year-old Murphy slipped a frame down in the first session by the score line of 1-2 after Walden clinched two frame victories. Before Walden could nudge him another frame down, Murphy made it 2-2 clicking the fourth frame at the end of the session.
The Stamina Man, Walden, came strong in the fifth frame and moved with one frame up at 2-3 to strengthen his position. The Whiston Warrior stayed focused on his game and showed his class in the next two frames. He took the sixth frame easily with the help
of some decent small breaks to pull level at 3-3.
The seventh frame of the match was a bit difficult but the Harlow potter managed to hit the winning break to snatch the lead by 4-3. The match entered into a scrappy situation where both potters had only one goal in their mind; to clinch the eighth frame.
However, the impressive Murphy showed his snooker genius firing a classy break of 115 to win the eighth frame as well as the match.
Murphy will next meet the winner of the first round match between Matthew Stevens and Joe Perry.
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