Murphy shocks Higgins at Crucible

Shaun Murphy created the biggest shock of this year’s Embassy World Championship so far when he produced a stunning performance to win 13-8 against John Higgins in Sheffield today.

The 22-year-old, who began the tournament as the third lowest-ranked player in the field at number 48, had never won a match on his two previous visits to the Crucible Theatre but is now in the quarter-finals.

Higgins, the 1998 world champion, had looked in control when leading 4-1 on Saturday night but his opponent strung together five consecutive frames to move 6-4 ahead and then sustained his terrific form.

Entering the concluding session 9-7 up, Rotherham-based Murphy allowed the fifth seed only one more frame and clinched the biggest success of his career by rattling in a brilliant 115 break.

“That’s the best anyone has ever played against me here, including Ronnie O’Sullivan when he beat me in the final four years ago,” said a shell-shocked Higgins.

Murphy now faces six-times former champion Steve Davis and the remarkably mature and grounded youngster will certainly not be overawed.

“I had played John twice before and lost but now I have beaten him. I’ve already beaten Steve Davis and I’m looking forward to having another go.”