2024 World Grand Prix: Can Shaun Murphy Sweep Snooker's Player Series?

In a commanding display during the first round of the 2024 World Grand Prix, Shaun Murphy asserted his dominance with a decisive victory over the seasoned John Higgins.

The opening moments of the match witnessed Murphy's cue artistry as he crafted a masterful century break of 145, immediately setting the tone for what would unfold as a one-sided affair. Undaunted by the experienced Higgins, Murphy continued to exhibit his exceptional form in the second frame. This time, a break of 77 further solidified his lead, leaving his opponent struggling to gain any semblance of control in the unfolding contest.

The demolition job was ultimately sealed in the subsequent frames as Murphy, displaying unwavering focus, executed a break of 70 to secure a resounding 4-0 victory. Despite being renowned for his resilience, The Wizard of Wishaw found himself unable to counter Murphy's relentless assault on the table.

Reflecting on his impressive performance, Murphy expressed his satisfaction, stating, "Very pleasing. Delighted to play like that. Felt I was playing well at the Masters last week, and it took the winner to beat me. So delighted to continue that form."

Murphy, who has been undergoing a self-analysis of his game in recent weeks, attributed his resurgence to playing on instinct. "I've been analysing my game quite deeply. The punditry work and commentary work really help me look into my game from a different point of view," he explained. "I just decided I'd gone a bit slow. My instinct is as good as anyone's, and I just decided to play on instinct a bit more this year and see where it takes me. And so far, I'm pleased."

The victory over Higgins is a testament to Murphy's regained confidence, which has been building over the past couple of weeks. The snooker punditry work has provided Murphy with valuable insights into his game, leading him to trust his instincts more on the table.

Addressing the importance of playing with freedom and pace, Murphy said, "I just decided to play on instinct, play with a bit of pace, play with a bit of freedom, and so far so good." This change in approach has clearly paid off, as evidenced by his swift and dominant performance against Higgins.

Looking ahead, Murphy acknowledged the belief that titles are within reach if he can sustain this exceptional form. "If I can sustain form like that, someone's going to have to match me or come better, so I'll keep doing my best, and we'll see where it takes me," he confidently stated.

When asked about his focus on the upcoming Crucible and other major events, Murphy revealed his mindset: "Actually now at this stage of my career, I don't start really thinking about it until it's the next event. I really try and treat each event on its own merits."

Despite the victory, Murphy remains focused on amassing ranking points to secure his place in upcoming tournaments, including the players' champs and the tour champs. He emphasized the difficulty of peaking for specific events and highlighted the importance of colliding with the right form on the right day.