Defending champion Shaun Murphy will begin the defence of his 888.com World Championship title against Thailand’s James Wattana when this year’s prestigious tournament gets underway on April 15.

World champion Shaun Murphy is through to the second of the Preston Grand Prix after a convincing 5-2 victory over Leicester’s Mark Selby.

Snooker is celebrating a new star in Shaun Murphy as he became the first qualifier to win the Embassy World Championship for 26 years.

Shaun Murphy has become the first qualifier to reach the Embassy World Championship final for 26 years after overwhelming Peter Ebdon 17-12 with a near flawless display.