Haikou World Open Day 7

Murphy with the 2014 Haikou World Open Trophy.
Image: World Snooker

Shaun Murphy secured his first full ranking title for almost three years as he beat Mark Selby 10-6 in the final of the Haikou World Open on Sunday. It’s Murphy’s second title of the season, after picking up the Gdynia Open European Tour event back in February.

The key to the Sale-based player’s success was a fantastic start to the match, as he raced to a 4-0 advantage at the interval, before ending the opening session 7-2 in front. The 2005 World Champion hit breaks of 64, 80 and 52 on course to taking a 4-0 lead but Selby hit back after the break, winning the next two, with a top effort of 91. However, Murphy ended the session in stunning style, with quick-fire breaks of 98, 105 and 112 to go within three frames of victory.

Selby was not ready to throw the towel in, and pulled it back to 7-5, with a top break of 78 at the start of the evening session, but Murphy stopped the rot, with a 60 before the interval to make it 8-5. Selby won the next to go just two behind again but a 78 in the 15th saw Murphy take a big step towards securing the title. He then built a 71-0 lead and although Selby battled back and secured two of the three snookers he needed, Murphy eventually sunk the pink to guarantee the win following a long tactical exchange on the colours.

Murphy pockets the £85,000 winners prize, and possibly more importantly, a confidence boost as the season hits the home straight, with the Players Championship at the end of the month, followed by the China Open and of course the World Championship, which is now less than five weeks away.