Matthew Stevens outplays Shaun Murphy in the last 32 of the 2011 Welsh Open – Snooker news
Mathew Stevens has beaten the former 2005 world champion Shaun Murphy in the last 32 at 2011 Welsh Open by a frame score of 4-0.
Matthew has not been found reaching the later stages of the tournaments in the last few years but this time after beating Anthony Hamilton in the last 48 he came up with a new confidence level against Murphy.
Murphy was the first one on the run as but he could only pot 34 points and gained a lead of 38-0 in total which later on was turned into 38-14 by Stevens, before he gave a chance back to his opponent. Murphy was going well but after he had extended
his lead to 53-14. He missed a red down the side cushion with the rest. Matthew on returning did only 1 and bout of safety shots were played until Matthew again got a chance to make a fine clearance taking the opening frame 1-0.
Second frame was completely dominated by Matthew Stevens as he played some delightful shots and made a carving century, 133, which also was his 200th century and the third highest of the tournament.
Similarly, in the following frame due to a safety error from Murphy, Matthew rolled in 60 when he already had a lead of 22 points. In both second and third frames, Murphy was not given a chance to pot any ball. Matthew was now leading by three-frames-to-nil
and needed only one frame to seal his victory.
In the fourth frame Murphy got a chance again as Stevens had missed a blue in the centre after potting 8 points but Murphy broke down on 24 going completely out of the position and was forced to play safe. Finally, a long red’s pot from the confident
Stevens left Murphy snooker in the end. Matthew skinned blue and pink in the end to finish the matters off 4-0.
The overall score line was 53-54, 0-133, 0-82, and 29-69.
This is the fourth time the local hero has beaten Shaun Murphy on the trot after the 2005 world championship. Matthew said he is in a good shape now and hope it continues.
He said he felt a totally different player as compared to Anthony Hamilton and also added that he is enjoying the way it was all going.
Shaun Murphy on the other side said that he was never given a proper chance as Matthew just had tied him up in the long grass.
Matthew Stevens now plays Ryan Day in the last 16 for the quarter-final on February 17, 2011 which should to be a promising match between both the Welshmen.
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