Shaun Murphy storms to 2020 Welsh Open title

Shaun Murphy became the latest new winner of the Welsh Open after a crushing 9-1 victory over Kyren Wilson in the final in Cardiff.

Murphy, whose previous appearance in a Welsh Open final saw him finish runner-up in 2006, produced a dominant display to secure a ninth ranking title.

The world number ten did the damage in the first session as he coasted into a 7-1 lead before quickly clinching the further two frames he required for glory in the evening session.

“After the way I came through last night and nearly threw it all away, I didn’t expect that at all,” Murphy told BBC Wales.

“I knew from the outset I had to be on my game.

“I thought I had all the run today, I had all the luck and it was a bit embarrassing.

“I’d love to say sorry but I’m not!

“If you can’t get up for an event like this in front of a passionate crowd for an important trophy then you really ought to ask yourself a few questions.”

Murphy made a magnificent start by compiling a century break in the first frame before swiftly doubling his lead with a break of 84.

He then overturned a 52 break from Wilson to snatch the third frame before making it 4-0 at the first interval.

Wilson was dealt a further blow despite making a 64 break as Murphy recovered from the snookers required stage to snatch frame five before adding a break of 76 to make it six on the spin.

Wilson eventually got off the mark in frame seven, but a sensational 134 clearance saw Murphy stretch his lead to 7-1 at the close of play in the afternoon.

The 2005 World Champion picked up from where he left off when the players returned in the evening as he fired in a break of 102 to move within one of victory.

And Wilson was quickly put out of his misery as Murphy sealed the deal in style with a break of 73 to overturn his opponent’s 56.

“I’m gutted I haven’t given the crowd their money’s worth and I’m sorry I couldn’t put a fight up but Shaun was absolutely fantastic all day,” admitted Wilson.

“He outplayed me in long potting, safety and break building. I hold my hands up and say the better player won.

“He’s a class act who has been there and won everything.

“He pinched a couple of the early frames and I couldn’t find the momentum after that.”

Victory marks the first time Murphy has won more than one ranking title in the same season, following on from his China Championship triumph last September.

The 37-year-old collected £70,000 and the Ray Reardon Trophy – which was presented by the Welsh snooker legend himself.