Match Reports: Day One at the 888.com World Championship
Parrott Perched!
Shaun Murphy 5 – 3 John Parrott
John Parrott put in an enigmatic performance that allowed Shaun Murphy to build a big lead, only to repair the damage by the end of the session.
In the first four frames the 1991 champion looked every bit the 500/1 shot he was quoted at a week ago. He missed easy balls, played careless safety shots and wore the expression of someone at odds with his own game.
Murphy was happy to take advantage, and although he was never quite at his best, he warmed to the match. A skilful 65 put him 2-0 up, and a century before the interval made it a thoroughly deserved 4-0.
The interlude altered the flow of the match, and Parrott fought back in a bizarre fifth frame. Murphy won 15 points in fouls with a snooker behind the yellow, only to find himself in the same spot a few minutes later. The 24-year-old fouled, and Parrott went on to win the frame with a break of 38.
A run of 74 in the next frame closed the gap yet further. Suddenly it was Murphy missing simple pots and playing loose safety.
Parrott won his third frame in a row to make it 4-3. Murphy took the final frame of the session to lead 5-3, which is probably a fair reflection of both players’ performance
By David Pritchard
