The 2020 Masters has been a perfect array of thrilling fixtures so far. It’s been particularly exciting to see upsets and surprising defeats go down at every corner you turn. Four defeats for past winners – in the four games played so far – could become five regardless of who wins the tie between Shawn Murphy and Judd Trump, with both of them having lifted the Masters’ trophy at one point or the other.
Despite both of them being past winners, it was world number one and defending champion, Judd Trump, who was the favourite going into the encounter. That said, it was expected to be an intriguing battle for the defending Champion who locked on with 2015’s Champion.
Judd Trump started on the front foot, making a solid statement in the first frame with a break of 128. Murphy then turned the tables around, picking up the following two frames to establish a 2-1 lead. Helped by a break of 76 to level matters, he got another 71 to make it 2-1.
The world’s number one then made it a tie in four frames with another century, a break of 126. Indeed, breaks of 128, 116 and 71 recorded so far has kept the fans at the Ally Pally chirping and musing at every move of the cue ball.
Trump then marched on to take his second lead of the night, with yet, another century, a break of 119. With a break of 77, Murphy levelled the game once again in what was a keenly contested match.
However, little did Trump know that that would be his last frame win. The defending Champion might have shown real intent, hitting three centuries in the process, but it was Murphy who won the seventh frame with a break of 52.
The 2015 Champion once again won the following frame, creating a 5-3 cushion for himself. At this point, Murphy could see the light at the end of the tunnel and was unwilling to see Trump stage any comebacks.
Murphy also won the ninth frame to put the defending Champion. Surely, there would be a new name on the Paul Hunter’s trophy this year with Trump out!
Shaun Murphy is fancied at 1.55 to win Joe Perry. While Perry is pegged at 2.55
Written by: Roland Arum
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