Shaun Murphy “couldn’t breathe” on 147 attempt in Masters win over Neil Robertson
Shaun Murphy says he “couldn’t breathe” after going agonisingly close to a 147 during his Masters quarter-final win over Neil Robertson.
The 2015 champion advanced to the last four at Alexandra Palace for the sixth time following an impressive 6-2 victory over the Australian.
Murphy hit breaks of 90 and 67 on his way to a 3-1 lead, before producing a superb 66 counter clearance from 66-1 down to pinch frame five on the black.
Two-time winner Robertson, who had overturned a 5-1 deficit against John Higgins in the opening round, responded with 108, but a contribution of 82 moved the Magician to the brink of victory.
He had a glorious opportunity to seal it in the ultimate fashion with what would have been only the sixth maximum break in Masters history.
However, Murphy ran out of position as a loose shot on the 15th black left him snookered behind the blue. Nevertheless, that break of 120 was more than enough to seal his place in the semi-finals, where he will play either Mark Allen or Mark Selby on Saturday.
Just didn’t quite catch it right. 😬#MastersSnooker pic.twitter.com/yMEtf3ZFbf
— Live Snooker (@Livesnooker) January 16, 2025
“I couldn’t breathe!” he told BBC Sport. “One of my targets for the season was to make a maximum in one of the Triple Crown events.
“I was like: ‘Come on, this a good chance’. Obviously, anywhere but there [behind the blue], but goodness me! It was exciting. I would love to have another go at that one [the 15th black].
“I was really pleased with how I finished the game. We saw earlier in the week Neil came back from the death against John Higgins, and I didn’t want a repeat of that.
“I’ve produced little bits and pieces, but not when it really mattered. You’re going up against a two-time winner here in Neil, a real classy player. When you play one of the greats, you’ve got to play your best. That was somewhere near my best and I’m delighted.”
Murphy also spoke of the benefits of working with 2002 World champion Peter Ebdon, a player whose Crucible debut he watched as a young spectator in 1992.
The Magician revealed the former world number three has helped him “rediscover my belief”.
“I’ve been really delighted with the partnership with Peter,” Murphy continued. “It’s been a lovely circle of life that Peter and I are now working together.
“The one thing he has helped me find is that belief again. It’s easy to let those negative thoughts creep in when you’ve had a few bad results and not been lifting the trophies. No-one was more positive in their career than Peter, and he’s really helped me rediscover my belief.
“I’d always wanted to scratch that itch of working with somebody who walked down those stairs themselves and played; to have somebody in your corner that’s been out there and competed in that gladiatorial arena, and lifted the trophy as well.”