Murphy disposes of giant killer to make semi-finals

Shaun Murphy joined Judd Trump in the Betfred World Championship semi-final line-up after ending the title hopes of giant-killing Scot Anthony McGill.

Eye-catching qualifier McGill had knocked out Stephen Maguire and defending champion Mark Selby to reach the quarter-finals on his Crucible debut.

But Murphy had his measure and the winner from 2005 moved a step closer to an elusive second title in Sheffield with a 13-8 victory, sealed with a 67 break.

Three centuries in the match, and the way he accelerated away from 6-6, showed Murphy is a man to fear, and next for him will be Neil Robertson or Barry Hawkins.

Hawkins eked out an 8-7 lead there, taking a 70-minute 15th frame having earlier seen Robertson win three on the spin to recover from 7-3 adrift, setting up a likely close evening finish.

Murphy would doubtless be glad to see that go all the way to a deciding frame, given he tackles the winner tomorrow afternoon in the first of their four semi-final sessions.