Match Reports from the 888.com World Championship

Selby reels Murphy in

Shaun Murphy 8 – 8 Mark Selby

Mark Selby enjoyed the best of an average session to be all square at the halfway stage in his first Crucible semi-final.

The 23-year-old looked a lot more comfortable with the surroundings in the second spell, to the extent that for much of the afternoon he was able to dictate play.

Selby started poorly when the match began on Thursday.  Shaun Murphy, fresh from his outstanding victory, played very well and ran up a 5-1 lead.

From there he was unable to go and establish a significant lead, as Selby fought back to finish up at 5-3.

He then set about completing the comeback by taking the first two frames to level at 5-5.  Murphy only contributed a single red to both the frames, but edged ahead by taking the 11th frame with a break of 55.

Many would have expected him to accelerate again, but he struggled to find his touch.  Selby has been written off several times over the past two weeks, and he showed his resilience by coming back strongly again.  He took the 12th to go into the interval at 6-6.

He then produced the only sustained quality snooker of the session with a magnificent 128 break.  It was his sixth of a prolific tournament, and briefly drew him level with Stephen Maguire as the top century maker.

Significantly, it put him 7-6 up – the first time that he had been in front in the match.  That might just help him believe he belongs in the last four, which was not obvious in the first session.

The lead did not last, as Murphy held his game together long enough to win the 14th frame.

The final two frames were shared, leaving the players locked at 8-8 going into the penultimate session this morning.  The match plays to a finish tonight.

Both players will take something from their second session. 

In many ways Selby has nothing to lose after surpassing even his wildest expectations.  The longer he can stay in contention, the more pressure will be heaped on to Murphy.

On the other hand, the 2005 champion will know that it is virtually impossible to play well in all four sessions in the long matches.  He will be hoping that he has now put his hiccup behind him, and that his opponent still has his to come.

Even if Murphy does trail near the end, no one is going to be writing him off – just ask Matthew Stevens.

By David Pritchard

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