Shaun Murphy will face either Ronnie or Judd Trump in the final of the 2024 Shanghai Masters on Sunday.
Today, he came from 6-2 behind to beat Mark Selby by 10-8 in the first semi-final. Here is the report by WST:
MURPHY FIGHTBACK FLOORS SELBY
Shaun Murphy summoned a superb fightback to rally from 8-5 down and beat Mark Selby 10-8 in the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters.
The Magician is through to his second final in this event. Last time out he succumbed to an 11-9 loss against Ronnie O’Sullivan in the 2019 title match. This time he will face either a repeat of that match against the Rocket or an encounter with Judd Trump.
Murphy and Selby have been battling each other on the tour right the way through from the junior ranks up to the 2021 world final, where Selby prevailed 18-15. However, Murphy has now won their last three meetings and trails the head-to-head 17-15.
It’s a disappointing end to a largely positive week for four-time Crucible king Selby, who has shown he still has plenty to offer at the highest level, despite raising the possibility of retirement at the end of last season.
They came into the final session with Selby leading 6-3. However, Murphy produced a sublime start to the evening’s proceedings, firing in a 140 break to reduce his arrears to 6-4.
He then pulled within one and looked set to draw level after constructing a hard -ought run of 57 in the 12th, but a missed red gave Selby an opportunity which he ruthlessly accepted. A break of 69 moving him 7-5 ahead.
Selby made it 8-5, before Murphy compiled a fine break of 134 to claw back within two. Further contributions of 67 and 104 helped the 41-year-old to make it four on the bounce and move him one from the win. He completed a remarkable turnaround with a break of 116 to seal victory.
“It is the old cliche, it is never over until it’s over. I’m a lot of things, but I’m not a quitter. I’ve never given up in my life and I wasn’t prepared to give up tonight. I kept pushing, had a little bit of luck at the right time, scored well and I’m over the moon. I can’t believe it“
Shaun Murphy
2005 World Champion
Murphy added: “This is what you play for. This is what we dreamed of as boys growing up, to play in big matches like this and big tournaments like this. I’ve played Judd and Ronnie in big matches before. I played Ronnie here a few years ago, so it would be great to go one better. I am looking forward to watching them slog it out until the wee small hours while I rest and look forward to what is going to be a great match.”
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
No quotes from Mark Selby and it’s maybe for the best. This will hurt and considering that Mark had been seriously questioning his future in the sport at the end of last season, I can’t help wondering how hard this defeat, and the manner of it, will have hit him and in what state of mind this leaves him. Mark has struggled with depression in the past and I hope he has the right people around him. He’s far too good to quit. He has more titles in him, I’m sure of it.
The match today broke my heart so much. I know I used to be very anti-Selby when I first got into this sport. For many years I was rooting against him on principle. It’s only a few months ago that I actually started changing my opinion. The more I learned about him, and the more interviews and stuff I listened to (also the stuff away from the table), the more I ended up taking him to heart. There is, of course, also the fact that I admire his game, even though he can still also annoy me endlessly sometimes. But as it is, he has become my 2nd favourite player now, and I admit I was devastated for him today. Your words here just reinforce those feelings, but still – thank you for your words in this post, and for the warmth and care you showed here. I really hope for all the same things you said, and that he can get this day out of his mind as soon as possible.
That said, Murphy did pretty much nothing wrong after the final midsession interval, and it’s not unfair that he won. But I was upset over it anyway.
Now trying to focus on the more important semifinal tomorrow. ❤
Ronnie O'Sullivan 
https://www.douyin.com/video/7393287670186642728
https://www.douyin.com/video/7393369121322208562
The match today broke my heart so much. I know I used to be very anti-Selby when I first got into this sport. For many years I was rooting against him on principle. It’s only a few months ago that I actually started changing my opinion. The more I learned about him, and the more interviews and stuff I listened to (also the stuff away from the table), the more I ended up taking him to heart. There is, of course, also the fact that I admire his game, even though he can still also annoy me endlessly sometimes. But as it is, he has become my 2nd favourite player now, and I admit I was devastated for him today. Your words here just reinforce those feelings, but still – thank you for your words in this post, and for the warmth and care you showed here. I really hope for all the same things you said, and that he can get this day out of his mind as soon as possible.
That said, Murphy did pretty much nothing wrong after the final midsession interval, and it’s not unfair that he won. But I was upset over it anyway.
Now trying to focus on the more important semifinal tomorrow. ❤