Shaun Murphy had a strong performance denying Jack Lisowski in Masters Snooker 2024, setting up a semi-final clash with Ronnie O’Sullivan. Exciting matchups ahead!

Shaun Murphy made it difficult after building a four-frame lead, but he prevailed 6-3 and guaranteed a berth in the 2024 Masters semifinals after fending off a valiant challenge from Jack Lisowski.

Murphy defeated seven-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan to secure his spot in the last four with a superb long pot in the black-ball decider.

For the first time since 2020, Shaun Murphy advanced to the Masters last four on Thursday night with a 6-3 victory against Jack Lisowski.
As ‘The Magician’ attempts to win a second Masters championship, the world No. 7 will take on Ronnie O’Sullivan in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, ‘The Rocket’ proceeded with his attempt to win an eighth Masters title upon defeating Barry Hawkins.

Murphy got off to a scorching start in the match, taking the first frame with a break of 75 in just eight minutes.

At the start of the second frame, Lisowski responded by hitting what Eurosport analyst Dave Hendon called a “absolute worldie” of a long red. After a safety exchange, Lisowski took advantage of a careless error to end the frame with a break of 77 and tie the score at one.
Murphy had a rare bad safety shot at the beginning of frame three, but it was not penalized, and he quickly returned to the table after Lisowski eft a red hanging above the pocket, quickly making a great total clearance of 131.
After another outstanding break of 76, which was completed in only six minutes, Murphy led 3-1 at the mid-session break, which was achieved in just 51 minutes.

After the interval, both players put together strong breaks but lacked the consistency to take a significant lead with simple misses. This resulted in a closely contested frame.
Murphy opened the pack with a fantastic cannon on three reds on the top cushion, setting him a frame-winning opportunity that let him to go through the rest of the table for a 4-1 victory.
When The Magician pulled together his second 100+ break of the match, worth 123, to come within a frame of win at 5-1, he recovered his previous deadly form and threatened to run away with the tie.
But the Alexandra Palace audience, who was overwhelmingly in favor of “Jackpot” and yelling at Lisowski when he sent a three-ball plant to.

Lisowski scored 35 points in the following session, going back to his best when he was a free-throw shooter. However, Murphy was invited in when he missed a straightforward red to the bottom right, leaving the object ball laying above the pocket.
Murphy smashed in a couple off the black and then a tough red into the left center, looking on track to finish the frame. However, he snookered himself on the pink to give Lisowski another opportunity.
After several safe shots and smart exchanges, Murphy committed five fouls on a disappointing red, two of which went well beyond the goal, giving Lisowski some critical points to cut the deficit to two frames at 5-3.

With the aid of a stunning two-ball plant in a thrilling final over, Murphy ultimately crossed the finish line after coasting through much of the match.
Although Lisowski appeared to be in a position to clear the table, he instead put himself in a precarious situation on the black.
Murphy sealed his victory with a magnificent long pot to the bottom left along the side rail, capping a thrilling encounter on the decisive black.
– – –
Stream the 2024 Masters live on Eurosport and discovery+.