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Sunday, February 16, 2025

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What Mark Allen and Shaun Murphy mentioned after reaching the Masters semis


Mark Allen and Shaun Murphy emerged with semi-final spots within the 2025 Masters after respective 6-2 victories over Mark Selby and Neil Robertson on Thursday.

The pair arrange a tantalising last-four showdown in opposition to each other on the Alexandra Palace in London.

Allen, who lifted the Paul Hunter Trophy seven years in the past, ousted Selby with a decided show of match snooker.

The Pistol started strongly with breaks of 81 and 104 to steer 2-1 earlier than demonstrating his improved tactical nous in opposition to one of many all-time greats in that division.

It consigned Selby to a different early exit within the prestigious invitational having not been past the quarters since 2014, and the three-time champion shall be left ruing the fourth and sixth frames that he misplaced on the black.

“He made some errors, however the fourth body was the larger one,” Mark Allen advised the World Snooker Tour after the competition.

“I had no proper to win that body the best way the balls had been sitting. I feel I used to be 60-something behind.”

“I feel each ball was on the cushion at one level, so I simply fought exhausting and performed a whole lot of good security.

“I acquired again within the body and acquired a wee little bit of run as effectively in the direction of the tip of that body.

“I managed to win it on the black. Look, any win in opposition to Mark is an efficient win, however I can positively rely myself fortunate on this one.

“I feel Mark might be the most effective participant of all time in relation to security.

“However I feel that’s most likely the primary time that I really feel like I dictated play in opposition to him.

“Particularly on the security aspect, I felt like I performed higher security than he did except for the bits of luck I acquired right here and there.

“Usually, I felt like I had management of the sport, and that’s an actual optimistic signal to take ahead.

“I’m nearer than the place I used to be just a few months again – happier with the place my sport is at.

“There’s nonetheless room for enchancment, and there’s nonetheless work to be achieved on the observe desk to really feel snug on the market on what I’ve modified.

“I felt like, in elements of that match, it kind of slipped again into dangerous habits. I wish to attempt to get out of that.

“However basically, there’s a whole lot of good things in there. I’m going to simply try to be very upbeat on the minute.”

Shaun MurphyShaun Murphy
Shaun Murphy hasn’t performed Mark Allen since 2022. Photograph credit score: WST

Murphy, in the meantime, had already booked his place within the Masters semi-finals by beating Robertson within the afternoon sport.

The Magician, who was the runner-up on the Shanghai Masters this time period, performed near his finest as he outgunned the Australian with breaks of 120, 90, 82, 67, and 66.

But Murphy can have some remorse after botching a 147 try within the final body, the place he performed a poor fifteenth black and snookered himself on the yellow behind the blue.

“I can’t consider it,” Shaun Murphy, whose final Triple Crown title was on the Masters ten years in the past, advised WST.

“Firstly of the season, I set myself little objectives, and making a max in one in all these huge three occasions was one in all them.”

“So to get so shut, I’m gutted about that. However I’m not going to let that take the shine off what was a very good day at work.

“I keep in mind strolling in as an 11 or 12-year previous strolling into the [Wembley] Convention Centre and saying to my good friend John Wilson, ‘do you assume I’ll ever get to play right here?’

“And you already know, the Ally Pally is healthier. It’s a dream come true to stroll down these steps.

“You may see what it means to the debutants yearly once they come right here, they see it on the prime of these stairs.

“However are you aware what? It appears like that each time, and I’m honoured to stroll down them.”

Shaun Murphy and Mark Allen will face off on Saturday afternoon, and it’ll be intriguing to see if there may be any needle or not contemplating the mini confrontation that the duo has shared recently.

On Friday, the remaining two quarter-final ties will first be performed.

Judd Trump and Ding Junhui conflict in a mouthwatering fixture, whereas Kyren Wilson entertains Luca Brecel in a battle of the 2 most up-to-date world champions.

Featured photograph credit score: WST

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