Murphy's carrying on

[The Statman]

Was anyone surprised at Shaun Murphy's continuing the 8th frame last night when it got to the colours?

He was 53 behind on the yellow, meaning he needed 7 four-point snookers and all the balls to win. The other colours, it has to be said, were in a fairly good position for snookers, yet it was still a little surprising that he continued.

David Hendon mentioned in commentary that maybe he was making a point about the slowness of pace throughout the match; maybe he was just unhappy at yet another first-round defeat. Maybe he genuinely felt that, if he got a couple of snookers, the pressure applied to Gunnell might cause the latter to crumble.

I certainly don't criticise him for carrying on. After all, without doing so he was out of the tournament! It is probably true that Gunnell might have started feeling it if Murphy had cut the deficit a bit. It is his prerogative to continue if he wishes and, as Hendon's co-commentator Joe Johnson remarked, a win from needing 7 snookers has been seen before (although it was not Cliff Throburn as Johnson said; it was John Spencer). Spencer's situation was a little different as there were several reds left and, of course, a free ball with reds left can be worth two snookers – not the case on the yellow!

I am a little surprised that this incident has not been given a thread of its own here and I welcome comments!

[PaulTheSoave]

I stopped watching after the 7th frame, so just informed about it. I think Murphy is desperate to get his first win of the season under his belt as he lost all his first round matches (if I am correct). He must be in dire straits if one compares his form he had last season. He was among the top 4. Although his world champion form was the first sign of a decline.

Even worse if he had in mind to build on last seasons form , stepping up a gear and now realizing he lost it completely. Especially his control of the cue ball is below par, to put it mildly.

In general, its a pity, because I like his style of play and like some competition amongst the top 5.

[thai_son22]

i was watching the post match interview of shaun murphy and from what i heard he said to adrian gunnell "u were blessed today" referring that he got the run of the ball and as if thats the only reason why he won.

he should know what snooker is like. maybe i'm abit biased but i cant stand the guy...

[Monique]

Much in the line of what Paul said ... and in addition of all the possible reasons already listed by Statman ... maybe he just needed to delay a bit the moment to actually acknowledge he was well and truely out in first round for the third time in three tournaments this season. Psychologically it must be very hard.

Anyone having actually watched the match? What was his body language telling?

[scoo24]

He was 53 behind on the yellow, meaning he needed 7 four-point snookers and all the balls to win. The other colours, it has to be said, were in a fairly good position for snookers, yet it was still a little surprising that he continued.

David Hendon mentioned in commentary that maybe he was making a point about the slowness of pace throughout the match; maybe he was just unhappy at yet another first-round defeat. Maybe he genuinely felt that, if he got a couple of snookers, the pressure applied to Gunnell might cause the latter to crumble.

I certainly don't criticise him for carrying on. After all, without doing so he was out of the tournament! It is probably true that Gunnell might have started feeling it if Murphy had cut the deficit a bit.

Given it was the 8th frame, I totally understand where he is coming from, he was desperate for a win and who knows what demoralising effect would this have had on Gunnell had Shaun managed to snatch that frame!!! Chances are he would have become favourite to clinch the match.

I don't believe he was doing anything other than trying his best to win especially that he "known for his consistency in the last couple of seasons" hasn't won any match this season yet.

Regardless of how people feel about Shaun, I too wouldn't criticise him for doing so.

[jedicho]

There is always something very smug about Murphy, he thinks he does everything how it should be done. The exaggerated pause after striking most shots really gets to me, like he is a walking coaching book or something. Then again if you watch this video of me playing it is understandable why I am not a fan of his style

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eih80C3GqGE

[tallguy]

I watched the match. His frustration was clearly showing at times. More than once he slashed his cue through the air over the table when the balls didn't end up where he wanted them to.

[Kyra]

Anyone having actually watched the match? What was his body language telling?

I only watched the first frames. To be honest, Shaun didn't look too good when he entered the arena. Normally he always has a smile on his face. But this time he looked very uncomfortable IMHO. Even desperate at times.
I'm not a fan of Shaun. But I hope he will regain his form soon and win some matches.

[matoski]

I am a huge fan of Shaun Murphy, but i think that by carrying on with the eight frame he kind of offended Gunnel, giving him a masage "ok, i need seven snookers, but you are such a weak player that you will certainly loose the advantage". He underestimated him a lot. I wonder would Shaun Murphy carry on against O'Sulivan or Higgins needing seven snookers?

[poolqjunkie]

I watched the whole match, saw Adrian had a shot on the brown, under hit it to get on the blue, when the match was supposed to be over. I think Adrian was either too nervous or simply not in form, so Shaun might felt that he had a chance to win even with that many snookers required.
I heard the ref warned Adrian before the match, did not see Shaun being warned for slow play. So, I was wondering if Adrian was the one trying to get 7 snookers to win, would the ref have said anything?
I think Shaun was stroking the balls well, and seemed quite comfortable, although he was missing shots that he was making before. Adrian seemed more like the player who was struggling out there, even when he was up. Just my opinion.

[The Statman]

I heard the ref warned Adrian before the match, did not see Shaun being warned for slow play. So, I was wondering if Adrian was the one trying to get 7 snookers to win, would the ref have said anything?

No, unquestionably not. The referee could not intervene in a player continuing in a frame, as long as he was not taking a long time over the shots individually. Well, unless it was coming under ungentlemanly conduct, which would be a different matter entirely.

The Rule on time wasting refers to the selection or execution of a shot, not choice of chot or whether to concede.

[Rane]

I came in at midsession and from 4 -1 down, Murphy played two good frames and Gunnel looked more and more nervous, and finally broke down 52 up with 51 on the table, after that Murphy made some misses on the black to go even further behind. I think a decider would have gone Murphys way, but I found it ridiculous the way he carried on, he didn´t even get some of the snookers he went for.