Match Reports from the 888.com World Championship
Murphy Miracle Stuns Stevens
Matthew Stevens 12 – 13 Shaun Murphy
Shaun Murphy came from six frames behind to thrillingly beat Matthew Stevens in the deciding frame and progress to the semi-finals.
The man from Rotherham won eight frames out of nine in the final session to complete an unlikely comeback.
Murphy was as surprised as anyone about the turnaround. “I never truly believed I could win the match,” the 24-year-old said. “I think it is the hardest I have ever played.”
Stevens won the last five frames of the second session to lead 11-5, but Murphy started well with a 92 in the first frame of the final session. He then came from behind to take the next on the black and get to 11-7.
An edgy-looking Stevens looked to have the match in the bag by winning the 19th to get within a frame of victory.
The match hung on the 40-minute 20th frame. Breaks of 25 and 28 put Stevens in charge, but he failed to get a cannon on the final yellow. He was forced to play safe just three pots away from victory. Some intelligent safety and a good run of the balls allowed Murphy to pinch the frame and keep his faint hopes alive at 12-8.
After that Murphy played some superb snooker, and as each frame went by the pressure on Stevens built.
The Welshman’s game gradually disintegrated, and he was unable to take a great chance in the 23rd frame. He missed the final blue and left it over the pocket for Murphy to pounce and get within one.
All the momentum was with the 2005 champion, who came from behind to beat Stevens in the final two years ago. In the deciding frame Murphy played brilliantly under the circumstances, and took his fifth frame in a row with breaks of 44 and 43.
Afterwards Stevens was at a loss to explain what happened. “I’m still in shock, I had the game won and it was just a matter of finishing it off,” he said. “I just couldn’t get over the line.
“I have got to give Shaun a lot of credit, he came back really well.”
The defeat means Stevens has lost his top 16 place, and must go through qualifying to get back to the Crucible next year.
An ecstatic Murphy was already looking forward to his second semi-final in four years. He said: “I saved my best until now, I’m going into my next match full of confidence.”
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