Masters 2022 snooker LIVE: John Higgins overcomes Zhao Xintong, Barry Hawkins sees off Shaun Murphy
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ByEurosport
Updated 10/01/2022 at 22:00 GMT
Welcome back to Eurosport's LIVE coverage of the 2022 Masters. Mark Williams ended Yan Bingtao's quest to defend the Paul Hunter Trophy he lifted in Milton Keynes last year with an inspired 6-4 win from 3-1 behind. John Higgins completed a dominant 6-2 win over UK holder Zhao Xintong before Shaun 'The Magician' Murphy takes to the table to face Barry Hawkins in his opening match on Monday night.
‘A rare mistake!’ - Referee Verhaas puts green back on wrong spot in Higgins’ Masters match
Murphy 2-6 Hawkins - HAWKINS ADVANCES INTO QUARTER-FINALS
It's brilliant. From 2-1 down, five frames in a row, quarter-finals. Easy.
"I was quietly confident in my game and after the interval I played a lot stronger," he tells the crowd. "I felt like I started to flow and what a fantastic atmosphere. Thanks everyone for coming out."
Murphy 2-5 Hawkins (14-57)
Hawkins is making short work of this. That last safety from Murphy was not nearly enough and Hawkins is there to pick up the pieces. A really, really exceptional performance and he takes frame ball to the sound of rapturous applause.
Murphy 2-5 Hawkins (14-27)
It's a table tapper! Hawkins produces a brilliant shot to get the white back up the table while keep all the reds safe by edging the white off the jaws of the pocket. Murphy's turn to produce some magic...safe but not TOO safe.
Murphy 2-5 Hawkins (14-27)
Hawkins in a little bit of a muddle here. He can get a red but there's no colour follow. The red goes and sure enough he's left with nothing. There's a green long pot available but only for the right-handed among us. He opts for brown ball and the safety which puts the white in a fairly safe position but unfortunately for Hawkins Murphy makes it even safer, lining the cue ball up against the top cushion with few reds visible let alone sinkable.
Murphy 2-5 Hawkins (14-1)
WOW! Hawkins goes for the long red against the left side cushion and SINKS IT! Murphy has the frown of all frowns and only a miracle is going to save him from a knockout now. Hawkins can finish here without mistakes.
Murphy 2-5 Hawkins (14-0)
Hawkins misses an easy red and the crowd reassure him as he ponders his way back to the seat. Murphy on the table sinks his first pot in 20 minutes. It´s a red, then a pink on repeat, then he follows up with a smashing, pack-splitting shot that almost pots everything including the black. One red later and he thinks he must surely be on the black over right bottom but there's a red blocking it...so unlucky. Anywhere else and he's golden. Now only a very good safety will stop Hawkins taking a look.
Murphy 2-5 Hawkins
Hawkins makes it four frames in a row with a run of 69. He misses the pink to top right but Murphy concedes and Barry is now just one frame away from the quarter-finals.
Murphy 2-4 Hawkins (0-61)
Hawkins has a tricky red and needs to run the white back to the middle for the blue. He gets it spot on with the angle too and then carries on soaking up reds and blacks. It's clinical and brilliant.
Murphy 2-4 Hawkins (0-11)
If anyone was looking for the bit, it's between Hawkins' teeth. He looks pretty unstoppable at the moment and he pumps a red into the bottom left that splits the pack beautifully too.
Murphy 2-4 Hawkins
Hawkins gets the century but not the highest break, and a 4-2 lead too. Great stuff but Murphy, who has looked so confident at times, will be wondering how on earth he's two down.
Murphy 2-3 Hawkins (6-84)
Liquid snooker from Hawkins who takes frame ball and is on for a century. He can beat his highest ever Masters break (132) with a break of 135 here.
Murphy 2-3 Hawkins (6-15)
Murphy is feeling the pressure of that last frame and it shows. He rattles the jaw of the bottom left with an easy red and leaves Hawkins with a massive opportunity to take the frame and double his lead. This could be the first century of the match too.
Murphy 2-3 Hawkins
Hawkins absolutely steals it! He takes the frame from under Murphy's nose just as Murphy did in the second frame. He does absolutely brilliantly to sink the final few reds and the crowd give him a big round of applause as he takes the black and the frame.
Murphy 2-2 Hawkins (54-5)
There's the mistake. A pink rattles the jaws of the pocket and that's break over. Hawkins is back in with a chance.
Murphy 2-2 Hawkins (54-4)
Murphy plays the shot of the match here with a brilliant long red to bottom left. Now he's right in amongst it all with the reds very well spread. But as with Hawkins in frame two, one poor effort and he basically hands the frame to his opponent. Let's see how it goes, but at the moment he's looking very confident with a quick run of 40 in no time.
Murphy 2-2 Hawkins (0-4)
Murphy dishes out the customary four for an early-frame foul as we resume play.
Murphy 2-2 Hawkins
Murphy tries his best but Hawkins is having none of it, wriggling his way out of two fairly decent snookers before potting a red and forcing Murphy to concede the frame. See you after the mid-session interval!
Murphy 2-1 Hawkins (20-67)
Hawkins takes full advantage of the nice ground work Murphy laid for him. He is all over this table, stringing together a break of 67 to claim frame ball. Murphy needs one snooker to tie so there's still a little hesitation as Hawkins tackles a tricky pink. He misses it by miles and Murphy will have a go.
Murphy 2-1 Hawkins (20-0)
Spoke too soon. Murphy misses an absolute sitter to middle red. Not in the script. Hawkins with a huge chance now.
Murphy 2-1 Hawkins (8-0)
Murphy showing some serious form here and he has the crowd going. Another expert long pot followed by a black and splits the pack well.
Murphy 2-1 Hawkins
Murphy picks things right up and takes the lead!
Murphy 1-1 Hawkins (48-7)
Murphy runs away with the frame with a series of reds and blues but his break comes to an end with an impossible red that just won't cut. Murphy plays safe to the side cushion but misses it completely and we're back to the safety game.
Murphy 1-1 Hawkins (8-7)
Hawkins makes a mockery of Murphy's one with a break of seven before handing back the reins. He then undoes all of that hard work by accidentally potting the black and handing Murphy seven big ones. So much fouling already today.
Murphy 1-1 Hawkins (1-0)
As fine as you like. Murphy cuts in the first red of the third frame with delicate ease. It won't be the start of a break but he's got one on the board and forced Hawkins to the top of the table.
Murphy 1-1 Hawkins
As I said, Hawkins was one miss away from handing the frame over to Murphy and now they are level. Murphy's done well not to let that fluke get the better of him and we are all square as he clears up all but one of the remaining reds and gets some potting practice in too. The crowd are enjoying themselves.
Murphy 0-1 Hawkins (48-29)
Murphy racing toward an equaliser?
Murphy 0-1 Hawkins (16-29)
That's given Hawkins the platform to overtake Murphy. He's taking his time in the second frame here. The reds are nicely spread but one dodgy shot and he could essentially hand the frame to Murphy. He's done just that too and missed a red to the bottom left. Break over.
Murphy 0-1 Hawkins (16-1)
It's a battle of the minds (safeties) here. Up and up the table we go, Hawkins chucks Murphy 16points for free as he tries to play too safe to the point of missing the reds completely, four times. There are no reds visible so he doesn't risk forfeiting the frame. Eventually, and to thunderous applause, he escapes the safety and accidentally pots a red for good measure. Murphy cannot believe it.
Murphy 0-1 Hawkins
First blood Hawkins and well deserved too. He edges a messy opening frame.
Murphy 0-0 Hawkins (31-68)
Murphy can't get out of the safety safely and he leaves Hawkins with a well laid table and a chance to take the frame. He rushes through the remaining reds, takes frame ball and it's potting practice from then on in.
Murphy 0-0 Hawkins (31-31)
Oh dear Barry! He misses on the yellow and let's Murphy in! But what's this? Oh dear Shaun...Murphy misses a red to top left with the frame his for the taking. He looks very surprised at himself but as fortunately left little on. Hawkins plays a fine safety and this first frame goes on!
Murphy 0-0 Hawkins (13-31)
Murphy wriggles his way into trouble just as Hawkins did and can't develop the break any further with a dearth in reds to choose from. Hawkins then misses a red to right middle but Murphy responds with a missed red to left middle. Seven of the remaining nine reds are tied up at the bottom of the table but Hawkins gets the angle on one before splitting the rest. Big chance now.
Murphy 0-0 Hawkins (0-23)
Hawkins off to a flyer here until he gets the white all tied up in among the reds and is forced to send the white back up the table and bring that break to an end. It's a good safety but he will be disappointed not to have done better from that position.
Murphy 0-0 Hawkins (0-4)
Hawkins gets us underway! And Murphy responds by handing him a foul as he tries to go so thin on the red that he misses it.
Welcome back!
Strap yourselves in, it's time for Shaun Murphy vs Barry Hawkins.
Thanks for joining us
We will be back just before 7pm GMT with Shaun Murphy meeting Barry Hawkins as the engrossing Masters matches just continue at the sport's biggest invitational event.
MASTERS 2022 SCHEDULE
- Yan Bingtao 4-6 Mark Williams – Sunday January 9, 1pm
- Neil Robertson 6-3 Anthony McGill – Sunday January 9, 7pm
- John Higgins 6-2 Zhao Xintong – Monday January 10, 1pm
- Shaun Murphy v Barry Hawkins – Monday January 10, 7pm
- Ronnie O’Sullivan v Jack Lisowski – Tuesday January 11, 1pm
- Mark Selby v Stephen Maguire – Tuesday January 11, 7pm
- Judd Trump v Mark Allen – Wednesday January 12, 1pm
- Kyren Wilson v Stuart Bingham – Wednesday January 12, 7pm
Higgins 6-2 Zhao
"Delighted to be back and I can fit in that chair now because for a couple of years I couldn't fit in it," said Higgins, who has lost four stones over the past seven months.
"I'll be delighted to play Mark (Williams). This is the best arena I've ever played in so roll on Thursday."
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‘A rare mistake!’ - Referee Verhaas puts green back on wrong spot in Higgins’ Masters match
Higgins 6-2 Zhao
Higgins finishing off this match as he started it. Among the balls and scoring. A 78 break. A 6-2 win for Higgins.
Higgins 5-2 Zhao (89-0)
Looks like this match has run its course. Higgins has dominated this contest with 65% of table time. The Scot over the winning line. Should be an intriguing dust-up with Williams in the last eight.
Higgins 5-2 Zhao (39-0)
Astonishing miss there from Higgins on a red on 39 when he looked set for a big break, but he hasn't left anything for Zhao. Very fortunate. Can the UK champion keep this match alive?
Higgins 5-2 Zhao (34-0)
Brilliant plant on reds after a poor Zhao safety shot. Rolls in a brown and he is back among the reds at the scoring end of the table. Looks like this could be game, set and match coming up. Plenty of balls to get him over the line.
Higgins 5-2 Zhao (0-0)
One more frame required for the two-times Masters champion and he will face old foe Mark Williams in the quarter-finals on Thursday night.
Higgins 4-2 Zhao (63-8)
All looking a bit ominous this one. Higgins dominating the table time and Zhao will need to reel off four frames to stay alive in the Masters.
Higgins 4-2 Zhao (38-8)
Zhao tries to pick out a long red, but no joy with that. Bad miss and he has left Higgins in among the balls. Glorious chance to claim a 5-2 lead with his young opponent looking a bit crestfallen at moment.
Higgins 4-2 Zhao (24-8)
Only 17 from the Scotsman in response. Wanted more from that visit, but he rolls in a fabulous long red seconds later. Life in this frame as Zhao plays safe with the black running safe. All a bit scrappy at moment.
Higgins 4-2 Zhao (9-8)
Zhao can only run in eight at the start of the seventh frame. Tried to float in a red, but was tough bridging and red stays out. Higgins handed a reprieve. What can he score at this visit?
Higgins 4-2 Zhao (0-0)
That miss with the rest on the green proved costly for Higgins, who looked likely to step in for a 5-1 lead, but Zhao stays in touch at 4-2.
Higgins 4-1 Zhao (13-44)
Zhao given an easy opener after Higgins misses the green with rest. Wasn't the easiest shot, but did expect him to make that.
Higgins 4-1 Zhao (7-31)
27 break from Zhao before he misses a tough cut on a red to a centre pocket. Ahead in the frame, but well off with a long shot seconds later. Higgins back at the table.
Higgins 4-1 Zhao (0-0)
Higgins with a second century break. A run of 104 for a 4-1 lead. The Scotsman chasing two more frames to reach the last eight. Zhao being frozen out of this match.
Higgins 3-1 Zhao (23-3)
Suspect Zhao will need to work for any scoring chances he is going to get out there today. Slams in a stunning long red, but can only add a yellow before another red stays up. Chance gone and Higgins back at the table.
Higgins 3-1 Zhao (0-0)
The Scotsman is covering all bases so far today in long potting and tactical play.
Higgins 3-1 Zhao (0-0)
A 3-1 advantage for Higgins at the mid-session interval. In command of this contest so far.
Higgins 2-1 Zhao (55-2)
This is brilliant from Higgins. Given half a chance by Zhao and he has really pounced on the openings that have come his way. Should be a 3-1 lead at the mid-session interval for the Players champion. In goes the pink and his opponent is 53 behind with 51 points left on the table.
Higgins 2-1 Zhao (7-1)
These players last met in the last 32 of the UK Championship last month with Zhao winning 6-5 on his way to claiming the title in UK. Higgins led 5-3 on that occasion.
Higgins 2-1 Zhao (0-0)
Higgins utterly dominant in the third frame with Zhao not potting a ball. Fourth frame before the mid-session interval.
Higgins 1-1 Zhao (54-0)
Mistake by Zhao in leaving a red over a top pocket. Higgins should get over the line here for a 2-1 lead in the third frame.
Higgins 1-1 Zhao (45-0)
More of a tactical frame on the cards which suits Higgins holding a 45-point lead.
Higgins 1-1 Zhao (37-0)
The Scotsman first to the punch in the third frame, but can only make 37 before he screws into the pack off the black and winds up on nothing. Just the safety shot coming up. And plays a good one by leaving a red safe with another red in baulk.
Higgins 1-1 Zhao (0-0)
A total clearance of 128 from Zhao. He levels the match at 1-1. Two centuries to start the afternoon. This already has the makings of a classic.
Higgins 1-0 Zhao (0-85)
Could be a century coming up from the young Chinese player. Some start to this match. Both players right at it.
Higgins 1-0 Zhao (0-54)
The great champions can pull out the recovery shots under pressure. Fine pot on a red by Zhao to keep this break going. Right back in business at the business end of the table.
Higgins 1-0 Zhao (0-26)
Nice safety shot by Higgins, but Zhao responds with a stunning long red. A great chance for the UK champion to show this Alexandra Palace crowd what he can do with a load of balls and a snooker cue. They're all snooker loopy.
Higgins 0-0 Zhao (100-6)
Fabulous stuff from Higgins out there. A break of 100 from last year's finalist in his 28th appearance at the Masters. Looks right in the mood.
Higgins 0-0 Zhao (92-6)
This has been classic Higgins. One-visit snooker. Could easily be a century to get this match off and running. An 861st century on the cards.
Higgins 0-0 Zhao (17-6)
Cracking long blue by Zhao, but a long red hovering near the hole then fails to drop. Didn't expect him to miss that. And Higgins given an early chance to get his scoring boots on.
MASTERS 2022 SCHEDULE
- Yan Bingtao 4-6 Mark Williams – Sunday January 9, 1pm
- Neil Robertson 6-3 Anthony McGill – Sunday January 9, 7pm
- John Higgins v Zhao Xintong – Monday January 10, 1pm
- Shaun Murphy v Barry Hawkins – Monday January 10, 7pm
- Ronnie O’Sullivan v Jack Lisowski – Tuesday January 11, 1pm
- Mark Selby v Stephen Maguire – Tuesday January 11, 7pm
- Judd Trump v Mark Allen – Wednesday January 12, 1pm
- Kyren Wilson v Stuart Bingham – Wednesday January 12, 7pm
Welcome back
Hope you are settling down with a nice cuppa ready for another glorious afternoon of Masters snooker. John Higgins is first up today against the new UK champion Zhao Xintong. Should be an utterly absorbing contest. First to six frames will face Mark Williams on Thursday night in the quarter-finals. Boys back on the baize just after 1pm.
'The best venue in snooker' – Why Williams feels Masters should be ranking event
Mark Williams has hailed Alexandra Palace in London as snooker's greatest arena, but believes the Masters may need to become a ranking event rather than an elite invitational tournament in future years.
Speaking after his 6-4 win over defending champion Yan Bingtao from 3-1 behind in the first round on Sunday, Williams feels the time has come for every player on the World Snooker Tour to have the chance to experience the sport's "best venue".
Williams won his two Masters titles at the old Wembley Conference Centre in 1998 and 2003, but feels the Ally Pally atmosphere can only be rivalled by the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield when the World Championship reaches its final stages.
The Welshman rolled in breaks of 63, 56, 62, 67, 64, 104 and 85 with 21-year-old Yan contributing 64, 71, 57 and 122 in a magnificent start to the 48th Masters.
Read more from Desmond Kane here.
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