Although Judd Trump emerged victorious, the second session of his clash with Shaun Murphy produced a passage of play that underlined the Magician’s renowned resilience.
Trailing 12-8 and needing a minor miracle, Murphy engineered back to back breaks of 112 and 99, narrowing the gap to just two.
The 23rd frame became a tactical minefield lasting more than half an hour, with both players turning down scoring chances.
When Murphy finally missed a long red by millimetres, Trump responded with a composed 60 clearance to clinch the match 13-10.
Speaking later, Trump admitted the mini comeback had him “questioning everything” and praised Murphy’s bravery in refusing a safety game when behind.
The frame also drew huge ratings for Sky Sports’ evening coverage, peaking at over 1 million domestic viewers, the channel’s highest snooker audience outside a final since 2020.
Commentator Alan McManus called the drama “vintage Crucible theatre,” adding that Murphy’s refusal to surrender momentum could yet serve as a template for other underdogs.
For Murphy, consolation arrives in the form of a 138 highest break that keeps him in contention for the tournament’s high break prize.
