LONDON, Jan 21: World champion Shaun Murphy slumped to defeat in the Masters quarterfinals here on Friday losing 6-4 to Scotland’s John Higgins.
Murphy led 2-1, but world number six Higgins won three frames on the trot and then held his nerve to clinch a semi-final place where he will face compatriot Alan McManus who beat former world champion Mark Williams.
“If Shaun had gone 2-0 ahead it might have been difficult to catch him. He’s such a good long-potter that it puts the fear of God into you.”
McManus, the 1994 Masters champion, beat Williams 6-4 in his quarterfinal.