Shaun Murphy's 10th ranking title a considerable achievement for a peerless snooker ambassador

27.02.2023 - 16:11 eurosport.com

All Shaun Murphy has ever wanted to do is play snooker. A boyhood fascination, the game still consumes him. When he won the 2020 Welsh Open, thrashing Kyren Wilson 9-1 in the final, life seemed good.

It was his second ranking title that season and ninth in total, and there was every reason to be positive about the rest of the campaign.

Ad A few weeks later, the circuit was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and Murphy entered the darkest period of his career.

His capture of the Players Championship in Wolverhampton on Sunday evening – his first title since that 2020 win – finally brought some closure to a frustrating time.

Sporting Murphy Mark Selby Shaun Murphy Ad A Milton Dublin

Shaun Murphy, the 2005 world champion, has led the tributes to Vera Selby after the death of the first women's world snooker champion on Monday, the day of her 93rd birthday. Born in the Yorkshire town of Richmond in 1930, Selby lifted her maiden world title in 1976 with a 4-0 victory against Muriel Hazeldine in Middlesbrough before emulating the feat five years later, courtesy of a 3-0 win against Mandy Fisher on the Isle of Wight. Ad She continued to play, coach, referee and commentate on the sport – including being part of the BBC team during Alex Higgins' famous run to the 1982 Crucible crown in Sheffield – after lifting the women's world billiard championship eight times between 1970-1978.

Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump 'get the adulation' says Shaun Murphy who is 'back and not going anywhere'

Shaun Murphy has declared that he is «back», and «not going anywhere for a bit» ahead of the World Championship after he clinched his 10th ranking title. The 2005 world champion was in stunning form as he claimed the major title and the coveted £125,000 prize with a hugely impressive 10-4 victory over Ali Carter.

Shaun Murphy 'over the moon' with 10th title after Players Championship triumph - 'one of my biggest ever achievements'

Shaun Murphy was left «over the moon» and «absolutely delighted» after his triumph at the Players Championship on Sunday evening. The 2005 world champion was in stunning form as he claimed the major title and the coveted £125,000 prize with a hugely impressive 10-4 victory over Ali Carter. Ad Murphy produced a remarkable five centuries as he rose to the occasion in a big way to land the 10th title of his career at this level and his first since 2020.

Players Championship 2023: Shaun Murphy dominates Ali Carter to take first title in three years

Shaun Murphy was in mesmerising form as he claimed the Players Championship and the £125,000 prize with a 10-4 victory over Ali Carter. The 2005 World Champion produced a remarkable five centuries on the day to land the 10th title of his career at this level and his first since 2020.

Shaun Murphy in stunning form as three centuries sees him take control of Players Championship final with Ali Carter

Shaun Murphy will take a commanding 6-2 lead into the evening session of the Players Championship final against Ali Carter after dominating proceedings in the afternoon. The contest pitted two of snooker's most in-form players against one another, with Murphy reaching the final of the recent Welsh Open and Carter going one better to take the title at the German Masters.

Players Championship 2023 final snooker LIVE - Shaun Murphy faces Ali Carter for chance to lift trophy

Welcome Hello and welcome to Eurosport's live text coverage of the 2023 Players Championship final that will see Shaun Murphy face off against Ali Carter. Ad Players Championship Sunday schedule Players ChampionshipFrustrated Wilson could face disciplinary probe for outburst after defeat to Murphy4 HOURS AGO 13:00 Shaun Murphy v Ali Carter 19:00 Shaun Murphy v Ali Carter — - Stream the World Championship and more top snooker action live on Eurosport and discovery+.