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Mike Chan

China’s Si Jiahui has been tipped become his country’s first world champion after his stunning first round victory over Shaun Murphy in Sheffield, in a game the 20-year-old said he “didn’t really play to win”.
Si held his nerve in a back-and-forth tussle at the Crucible with the 2005 winner, eventually coming out on top in a deciding frame on Thursday to beat the world No 4, 10-9.
Ranked 76 places below his opponent, Si produced a major upset by knocking out one of the pre-tournament favourites despite managing just one century, and Murphy said he had thrown “everything at him”.

Incredible nerve from Si Jiahui to beat Shaun Murphy in a back-and-forth deciding frame 👏#CazooWorldChampionship | @CazooUK pic.twitter.com/uaH3ESV7OG
— World Snooker Tour (@WeAreWST) April 20, 2023

“I really enjoyed it, it was exciting. I just came out on the wrong end,” Murphy said. “He was fabulous from start to finish. I think he will be the first Chinese World Champion – maybe not this time, but I believe he will be the first.
“I see things in him that some of the other players don’t have. He’s got a bit of swagger, he’s very talented, plays right and left handed, gets on with it and always tries to attack. I tried my absolute best and I still lost.”
Si’s next step at the Crucible will be a best-of-25 contest with world No 14 Robert Milkins of England, which begins on Saturday.
Making his debut at the prestigious event, Si said he had “just wanted to learn” from being at the same table as Murhpy, and would not have been too upset if he had lost because “I did perform well and I was so happy out there”.
“Shaun has had a brilliant season so I never thought I could have done this,” Si added.

Murphy has been in great form lately having won the Players Championship and Tour Championship within the past two months.
Si, on the other hand, had to win three qualifying matches just to make it to the Crucible and is now through to the last 16 of a ranking event for only the fourth time in his career.
His best result over the past year was a run to the quarter-finals of the European Masters last August.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the match,” Si said. “The whole arena applauded every time I got a long pot, and they did the same for my good safeties.”
The highly rated youngster from Zhejiang also said he was able to “play without any pressure”.
“If I can really perform I can compete with any player,” Si said. “I’m playing with a great mindset because I’m not bothered about winning or losing. There will be no regrets if I can carry on with my own game.”

Si was leading 5-4 entering Thursday’s concluding session and soon extended that advantage with a 120, his only century break in the round.
Murphy had a chance in the next frame but a missed pink to a centre pocket at 30 saw Si capitalised with 93. The 40-year-old from Harlow responded with 102 and 66 to split the frames before the interval.
Si, currently based in Sheffield, would again lead by three frames after the restart but the 11-time ranking tournament winner won three frames on a trot, including a run of 120 in frame 18 to set up the decider.
Si initiated a run of 56 with a superb long red before Murphy clawed his way back with 28, and the match came down to the final red. Si laid a tough snooker, and Murphy missed the red three times, and the third attempt proved his last shot as Si cleared through to the pink for victory.
The victory made it two out of two for Si against Murphy, but, unlike the 2021 UK Championship, following which the Englishman claimed after his round one loss that amateurs should not be allowed to take part in professional tournaments, Murphy heaped praise on his opponent this time.


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World Snooker

World Snooker Championship: China’s Si tipped to win it all after stunning victory over Shaun Murphy in first round

Si Jiahui outgunned former champion Shaun Murphy 10-9 in the first round of the World Championship. Photo: World Snooker Tour

World No 4 Shaun Murphy believes Si Jiahui will become the first World Champion from China. Photo: World Snooker Tour

Si Jiahui (left) has now won both his meetings with Shaun Murphy. Photo: World Snooker Tour

World Snooker Championship: China’s hopes rest with Si Jiahui after compatriots all crash out in first round

Mark Allen beat Fan Zhengyi in the first round.  Photo: WST 

Ding Junhui and Hossein Vafaei both study the table during their first round clash in Sheffield. Photo: WST

A ‘Just Stop Oil’ protester jumps on the table and throws orange powder during the match between Robert Milkins and Joe Perry. Photo: AP

World Snooker Championship draw: 5 Chinese players reach Crucible after Judgment Day – and 1 will face Ronnie O’Sullivan

Ding Junhui will lead the Chinese contingent at the World Snooker Championship, which begins this weekend in Sheffield. Photo: Xinhua

Shaun Murphy says ‘it’s not fair’ after Chinese snooker amateur Si Jiahui beats him at UK Championship

Former world snooker champion Shaun Murphy of England in a game at the World Snooker Masters in Hong Kong in 2017. Photo: Xinhua   

Zhou Yuelong of China in a game against countryman Chen Zifan at the first round of the UK Championship in York. Photo: AP 

Sport

China

Other Sport

“I think he will be the first Chinese World Champion,” says 2005 winner Murphy after stunning loss in deciding frame
Si, who is ranked 80th in the world, will face Robert Milkins next at the Crucible on Saturday


Shaun Murphy is magnanimous in defeat and heaps praise on Si Jiahui, and says the highly rated youngster will become the first World Snooker Champion from China.


World Snooker Championship

World Snooker Championship: China’s Si tipped to win it all after stunning victory over Shaun Murphy in first round

“I think he will be the first Chinese World Champion,” says 2005 winner Murphy after stunning loss in deciding frame Si, who is ranked 80th in the world, will face Robert Milkins next at the Crucible on Saturday

“I think he will be the first Chinese World Champion,” says 2005 winner Murphy after stunning loss in deciding frame

Si, who is ranked 80th in the world, will face Robert Milkins next at the Crucible on Saturday