UK Championship 2024: “Everyone’s Chances Improved Once Ronnie Went Out,” says Shaun Murphy

Shaun Murphy admits every player left in the UK Championship will fancy their chances after Ronnie O’Sullivan’s shock exit.

The Rocket was the defending champion in York after winning a record-extending eighth crown last season.

But O’Sullivan was dumped out by Barry Hawkins on the opening day at the Barbican, and he wasn't the only big-name casualty in the first round as two-time winner Mark Selby also saw his title hopes crushed by Jack Lisowski in the first round.

Murphy told SportsBoom.com: “Everyone realises their chances of winning have gone up now Ronnie’s out."

“I’m not a draw analyser. I don’t know what half or what section I’m in in the draw, but everyone has a look."

“Once the top players start to drop out, everyone will think ‘right, I’ve got a slightly better chance’ and if they tell you they don't then they’re telling lies."

“Anybody in that half or quarter will fancy their chances more than they would had Ronnie still been in."

“I’ve been in two UK finals since winning it in 2008 and I lost to Selby and Ronnie and they’ve both gone home already so my chances have improved.”

No More Mr Nice Guy

Murphy is desperate to get his hands on another Triple Crown major after a string of near misses over the years.

The 2005 world champion is far from a perennial underachiever and is proud to be one of an elite group of only 11 players to complete the Triple Crown with titles at the World Championship, UK Championship and Masters.

But Murphy’s last major triumph came back at the 2015 Masters and the heartache the Magician has suffered in his quest for glory on the game’s biggest stages still lingers.

The world No.9 has reached three Crucible finals since lifting the famous trophy in 2005 as well as losing in the 2012 and 2015 UK finals.

Murphy plays Ding Junhui in the last 16 on Wednesday and admitted: “I don’t think I have won as many of these as I should have in my career."

“I think I’ve been too nice. I described it as locking that person up for a few years. I’ve decided to let him out again."

“Life’s all about perspective. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking recently. We lost a dear friend Mark Wildman recently who was obviously Chairman of the Association. He owned my club where I played at when I grew up."

“I remembered that kid from Irthlingborough would have given his left arm to be out there playing. He would have fought tooth and nail and given every single bead of sweat to be out there fighting for each ball."

“I think I’ve perhaps done him a disservice over the yeas and gone a bit soft."

“I will give it my best in what is probably the final third of my career and try to wring out every drop out of the rest of my career.”

World Champion Up And Running

Kyren Wilson shrugged off a searing migraine as kicked off his bid for a maiden UK title with a 6-0 whitewash win over former champion Stephen Maguire.

It was far from a classic as Maguire made a best break of 32, whilst the Warrior made top runs of 86 and 71.

But most importantly Wilson is into the next round with his title tilt still on track. He said: "I'm pleased to be in the next round. It's getting harder and harder with the standard of the qualifiers coming through."

Holt Fairytale Continues

Qualifier Michael Holt booked his spot in the last 16 for the first time since way back in 1999 with a 6-1 victory over world No.10 Gary Wilson. 

Holt, ranked 98th in the world, had to win four qualifiers just to punch his ticket to York. 

The Nottinghamshire potter, a former Shoot Out winner, has struggled with self confidence over the years and got back on the World Snooker Tour this season after two years away. 

He said: "You always believe [you can get back] but you never know what's going to happen. Being off the tour did hurt but it was one of the best things to happen to me."

"This time last year I was getting ready to go to Q Tour 5 in Brighton, which I won, and now a year later I'm in the last 16 of the UK Championship so that's something I'm really pleased with."

"My game is there, it has always been there, I just have to let it out. To be in this arena, I loved it. The crowd were great and this is a brilliant tournament."

Other Live Action 

Chris Wakelin punched the air in delight after beating Matt Selt 6-4 in a scrappy four-hour battle to set up a meeting with the world champion. 

"I can't remember the last time I did that in my career," world No.15 told SportsBoom. 

"The UK Championship is a big tournament for me. It means a lot and that raw emotion can come out in those moments. It's the first time I have ever won a match on the BBC so it's another box ticked."

Luca Brecel, world champion just last year, saw his sorry season continue as he crashed to a 6-5 defeat to this year's Crucible runner-up Jak Jones.