World number six Shaun Murphy defeated debutant Zhang Anda 6-2 to set up a mouth-watering quarter-final showdown with Jack Lisowski at the MrQ Masters in London.
The Magician is competing in the Masters for the 20th time in his career this week. It is an event which Murphy holds fond memories of having completed the Triple Crown with victory at Alexandra Palace in 2015. The Englishman had already won the World Championship in 2005 and the UK Championship in 2008.
By contrast, Zhang was making his maiden appearance at the Masters this evening. The Chinese cueman, who first turned professional in 2009, earned a spot in the top 16 by winning his first ranking title at the International Championship earlier this season.
Murphy now faces a blockbuster meeting with Lisowski, who has beaten him in their last three meetings. The pair will cross cues on Thursday evening.
A fiercely contested first three frames of the evening saw Murphy establish a 2-1 advantage. The last before the mid-session looked to be going the way of Zhang, when he moved 61-0 ahead. However, Murphy pulled off a superb clearance of 65 to steal on the black. After depositing the final ball, he clenched his fist before exiting the arena 3-1 up.
When play resumed it was soon 4-1, courtesy of a run of 86 from Murphy. Zhang reduced his arrears by taking the sixth, but breaks of 71 and 89 saw Murphy over the line for an impressive victory. Afterwards he admitted that stealing the fourth frame was a key moment.
Murphy said: “He had to think about it for 20 minutes. If we rolled straight into frame five and racked the balls up, it perhaps wouldn’t have left the same kind of mark. Those types of frame losses leave marks and scars. To then have to sit in his dressing room thinking about it and rueing that mistake is tough.
“He’s been one of the best players of all season. I thought that I had my work cut out here. If I didn’t play properly, he would have turned me over. With that in mind I’ve worked very hard in the background, I’ve not told anyone about it, I was delighted to see that come out there.
“The ladies and gentleman who have a ticket for Thursday night are in for a treat. Neither of us pull our punches. I don’t think it will take very long, whoever wins, and Jack is showing how much talent he has. He is ready to win big. This could be his week. I hope not, but I am going to give it everything I’ve got.”