Shaun Murphy admits he doesn’t have high hopes for the World Snooker Championship, but he has realized that previous performance may not matter much at the Crucible.
The Magician had a strong start to the season, winning the Championship League in July, but there haven’t been many notable achievements since then.
Last season, he won the Players Championship and Tour Championship, but he couldn’t defend either title this season as he failed to qualify.
The 41-year-old was flying at this time last year after winning those two significant events, but it didn’t count for much when he arrived in Sheffield and lost in the opening round to Si Jiahui.
After a period of poor results, Murphy hopes that previous performance will not determine his success in the World Championship once again.
‘I’ve been busy on the practice table, trying to rediscover whatever magic I had this time last year,’ Murphy told Metro. ‘Went into the Worlds last year as number one on the money list, one of the favourites to win it, won two tournaments, then got dumped out in the first round by Si Jiahui.
‘So to some degree form means nothing, but I’ve got absolutely no right to be optimistic or super confident going into it this year. But the World Champs is that long and that specialised that course and distance players tend to do well there.
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‘I’ve not had my best form this season but on the quiet I’ve played alright since New Year. I played really well in Saudi [World Masters of Snooker] and out in China [World Open], lost to Ding [Junhui], but my game is actually alright. I say it every year but if I get going, get involved, I might have a run. There’s no indication of that, though, so my expectations are pretty low to be honest.’
Murphy has been to four World Championship finals, the most recent of which in 2021 when he had done next to nothing, by his high standards, all season.
It could be that arriving in Sheffield with a point to prove could suit the Magician, as he prepares to take on Lyu Haotian, starting on Sunday afternoon.
‘I hope that’s a pattern, I hope that’s a thing,’ he said. ‘There was no pressure on me when I won it in ’05. No real pressure in ’09, ’15 or ’21. Maybe that’s the pattern, maybe being favourite doesn’t suit me. I’ve lost first round the last couple of years, I must be due to win at least a round! It would be nice to at least do that.
‘Course and distance is massive at the World Championships, there are only a small number of players who can win that trophy, it’s not for everybody. It’s a massive mental challenge and a physical challenge. It’s a test of nerve, character, bottle, skill, all of it. It’s not for everyone.
‘I don’t go this year with much optimism, except that when you’ve done well there before, it might give you an extra 10 per cent. I’ve played some really good stuff there over the last 20 years, I enjoy playing there, that’s half the battle.
‘Last year I was really well-prepared. I made a 147 break in the Welsh Open final, won the Players Championship, and also won the Tour Championship. I couldn’t have been in a better state when I went to Sheffield, but still ended up losing in the first round. I don’t think there’s any logic to it.’
The Magician will face 26-year-old Chinese player Lyu in his first match, as the world number 26 competes in his fourth Crucible appearance.
