Murphy In Strong Victory Over Ding
Shaun Murphy 5-1 Ding Junhui
71-51 (51 Ding), 69-38 (45 Murphy), 0-128 (65, 63 Ding), 124-0 (124 Murphy), 86-31 (55 Murphy, 31 Ding), 109-0 (109 Murphy)
REIGNING PartyCasino.com Premier League champion Shaun Murphy has begun the defence of his title with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Ding Junhui.
Murphy won the opening frame with two small breaks intercepted by a run of 51 by Ding, and began the second strongly before going in-off a red while trying to get a difficult position.
Ding made a break of 28 but missed a vital red to the middle pocket, and Murphy won the frame with the balls in inviting positions.
The third frame belonged to Ding thanks to an entertaining break of 65, but he failed to take full advantage as he missed a cannon into the remainder of the pack. A few moments later, he missed an awkward red into a baulk pocket with the rest. However, he had done enough and successfully reduced the deficit to 2-1.
Murphy his back in style in the next with a break of 124, the first century of this year’s tournament, which earned him an additional £1,000, and the 3-1 scoreline meant he was guaranteed at least a point.
Frame five saw Murphy carry on where he left off before breaking down on 55 when he missed a slow cut on a red into the centre pocket, but Ding failed to make the most of his opportunity and let his opponent back in, only for him to miss an easy red.
Ding made more of his second opportunity of the frame, making 31 before missing a straightforward pot into the centre pocket, allowing Murphy back in to secure victory.
In the final frame, Murphy entertained the crowd with a 109, his second century of the night, to complete a comfortable victory and earn himself £7,000 in prize money.
After the match, Murphy appeared satisfied with his night’s work. He said: “Job well done, a good start.
“It’s a long tournament though and it’s not how you start though, it’s about getting in top four.
“Winning frames you’re not meant to is like a double whammy as it gives you a boost and it’s also what it does to the other player.
“The scoreline was flattering though as Ding played well in parts, but I’ve got a happy but long drive home.”
In the night’s other match, Marco Fu and Ronnie O’Sullivan drew 3-3.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 3-3 Marco Fu
4-70 (63 Fu), 137-0 (76, 61 O’Sullivan), 34-71 (34 O’Sullivan, 47 Fu), 141-0 (119 O’Sullivan), 0-87 (87 Fu), 103-36 (103 O’Sullivan, 36 Fu)