Murphy dismantles Xiao with session to spare at World Snooker Championship 2026

Former winner Shaun Murphy displayed a stunning game of snooker and crushed China’s Xiao Guodong with a session to spare on Friday, April 24.

Murphy beats Guodong by 13-3 and becomes the first player to secure a berth at the 2026 World Championship quarter-finals.

Murphy is a triumph of the Crucible 2005 and runner-up in 2009, 2015, and 2021, led 6-2 overnight against China’s seed number nine Xiao Guodong.

Superb Murphy wins seven of the eight frames in Friday’s first session at World Snooker Championship 2026.

This win means the 43-year-old Englishman bagged the victory with a session to spare.

Murphy expressed his emotions, saying, “I’m really pleased with how I played. I’m delighted. It doesn’t happen often that you win with a session to spare, because everyone is so good.”

With eyes on the next big win in his career, Murphy said, “I would not say I’m desperate to win another World Championship, but it is close.”

“It’s 21 years ago since that clueless 22-year-old came here and nicked the trophy from everyone.

Since then I’ve been trying my hardest to get the trophy again. It’s not been through the lack of trying.”

Hopeful for more such buzzing days ahead, Murphy added, “I’m loving the game, loving practice and still think I can get better. The best days are still ahead of me.”

Murphy last reached the quarterfinal stage back in 2021, before he lost to Mark Selby in the final.