Former winner Shaun Murphy produced an outstanding efficiency to thrash China’s Xiao Guodong 13-3 and turn out to be the primary participant into the 2026 World Championship quarter-finals.
Murphy, a winner on the Crucible in 2005 and runner-up in 2009, 2015 and 2021, led 6-2 in a single day in opposition to China’s world quantity 9 Xiao Guodong, earlier than profitable seven of the eight frames in Friday’s first session.
It meant the 43-year-old eighth seed gained his match with a session to spare.
Consequently, Friday’s night play will characteristic simply the second instalment of the match between Barry Hawkins and Mark Williams, with the divider raised so the entire enviornment can watch.
Murphy made breaks of 93, 66, 103, 69, 115 and 103 in Friday’s session to arrange a last-eight tie in opposition to the winner of the all-Chinese language match between reigning world champion Zhao Xintong and Ding Junhui, with the quarter-final starting on Tuesday and ending on Wednesday.
“I am actually happy with how I performed. I am delighted,” mentioned Murphy. “It doesn’t occur usually that you just win with a session to spare, as a result of everyone seems to be so good.
“I’d not say I am determined to win one other World Championship, however it’s shut.
“It is 21 years in the past since that clueless 22-year-old got here right here and nicked the trophy from everybody. Since then I have been making an attempt my hardest to get the trophy once more. It is not been by the dearth of making an attempt.”
Murphy final reached the quarter-final stage in 2021, earlier than he misplaced to Mark Selby within the remaining, and mentioned he nonetheless feels he can enhance.
“I am loving the sport, loving follow and nonetheless suppose I can get higher,” mentioned Murphy. The most effective days are nonetheless forward of me.”
