Shaun Murphy powers into semi-finals of Welsh Open with victory over Yuan Sijun in Llandudno

Shaun Murphy’s brilliant run at the Welsh Open continued with a 5-0 victory over Yuan Sijun in the quarter-finals. He is battling to end a barren run dating back to the Welsh Open of 2020 and after showing signs of life this season has struck form with a vengeance in Llandudno this week. Ad A stunning display in the round of 16 saw him make breaks of 145 and 147 in beating Daniel Wells.

Welsh Open'I felt like Neo from the Matrix' — Murphy blown away by 147 and 145 breaks19 HOURS AGO He could have been forgiven for suffering an adrenaline hangover from such a performance, but he produced polished rather than jaw-dropping snooker to reach the semi-finals at Venue Cymru. Yuan got in during the opener but missed a routine red when on 43 and Murphy stepped in to clear to the pink to draw first blood Murphy chipped a red out off the break in the second and Yuan stroked in a red but did not get the split of the pack and broke down on 25. 'I'm enjoying the challenge' – O’Sullivan opens up about playing with new tip 'I felt like Neo from the Matrix' — Murphy blown away by 147 and 145 breaks For as well as Yuan pots, his safety play requires work and he paid a price for allowing Murphy to get his hand on the table as the 2005 world champion crunched in a long red and ran through a break of 81 to double his lead.

Murphy fashioned a chance in the third and he knocked in a second successive break of 81 to increase his lead to three frames. As in the second frame, Murphy chipped a red out off the break in the fourth and Yuan stroked it in. But he missed a black off its spot on 27.