Shaun Murphy beat world champion Stuart Bingham 10-9 in a thrilling
contest to win the World Grand Prix in Llandudno.
Both players were appearing in their first ranking final since the 2015
World Championship, as Murphy scrapped his way to a 4-1 advantage.
Bingham fought back, compiling a break of 91 to go 5-4 ahead after the
first session and extending his lead to 7-6.
Murphy made breaks of 94 and a superb 120 to lead 9-8, Bingham levelled,
but Murphy took the 19th frame for victory.
"It had the feel of a 9-9 in that neither of us were going to get away
from the other one and shake each other off," Murphy told BBC Sport.
"At nine all you just have to think on your feet - I saw an opportunity
for a long red in the green pocket and took it."
| Murphy's ranking victories | |
|---|---|
| 2005 World Championship | 2011 Players Tour Championship Grand Finals |
| 2007 Malta Cup | 2014 World Open |
| 2008 UK Championship | 2016 World Grand Prix |
Despite leading early on, world number seven Murphy struggled to find
his rhythm and was pegged back by his opponent.
"I was lucky I had the 4-1 lead," he said. "My head had gone at the
interval and I was just happy to get out of the arena and go back to the
hotel to regroup."
The 33-year-old was much more fluent in the final session to pick up the
sixth ranking title win of his career and the £100,000 winner's prize
money.
World number two Bingham, 39, has suffered a disappointing season since
beating Murphy 18-15 to win the sport's biggest prize at the Crucible
last May and has failed to pick up a title so far.
"At 4-1 down I felt like I had someone else's cue or arm - I was all
over the place," said Bingham.
"To come out 5-4 up after the first session I was ecstatic.
"The way my season has gone, to get to the final and have a sniff of
winning, will do me a hell of good for the next tournament."
The next ranking title is the Players Championship in Manchester, taking
place from 22 to 27 March.
No comments:
Post a Comment