Shaun Murphy storms into final of Players Championship with impressive win over Kyren Wilson

Shaun Murphy powered into the final of the Players Championship after getting the better of a high-quality clash with Kyren Wilson. Murphy has hit form in recent weeks following a couple of years in the doldrums, and he is now one win away from his first ranking title since lifting the Welsh Open in 2020. Ad He arrived in Wolverhampton in decent form, after losing in the final of the Welsh Open to Robert Milkins last weekend.

Players ChampionshipKyren Wilson eases past Gary Wilson to set up semi-final with MurphyYESTERDAY AT 15:46 Murphy carried the momentum through the early rounds of the Players Championship, and rode the wave to beat Wilson 6-3 to set up a final with Ali Carter. Murphy said he felt like Neo from the Matrix after beating Ryan Day in the previous round, and he plunged into the semi-final as he opened up with a glorious long red and ran through a stunning 135 — the 32nd century of his 2022/23 season and highest of the tournament so far. Wilson fashioned a superb response to Murphy’s first-frame blitz with a run of 87 to draw level.

After two frames of sparkling snooker, there were surprise misses in the third. Wilson left a red in the jaws of the bottom right when on a break of 28, and Murphy’s reply was stopped at 59 when he missed a pink to right middle. Wilson’s counter was halted when he failed to get on the final red, and Murphy won the safety battle to edge in front for the second time.