Top News

Shaun Murphy shook his head after an extremely lucky shot against Zhao Xintong in their battle for the semi-finals at the World Snooker Championship. The Englishman was set up with a tough route to the red with the score at 53-45.

However, with a fluke hit, Murphy managed to just glance off the red and ended up with an extremely lucky snooker for Xintong to contend with. Despite this impressive shot, the 43-year-old appeared to be frustrated with the result as he shook his head and threw his arms up in the air.

Murphy then appeared to apologise off camera to his opponent, which Steven Hallworth caught during commentary. The 30-year-old pointed out the motion on BBC's coverage, as he said: "Well, he's apologised there Shaun.

"That cue ball, he believes, didn't travel on it's intended path but goodness me what an outcome he's had. There's the reaction. That wasn't for show I assure you. He thought he butchered the safety but it worked out a treat."

Xintong did manage to beat the snooker and find the red, but the gesture was graciously accepted from the defending champion. Scottish snooker legend Stephen Hendry spotted the sportsmanship and gave his opinion.

He said: "I love again how there was absolutely no drama there from Zhao Xintong. A lot of players would have been shaking their head and wouldn't be happy with that fluke that Shaun just got, but he just got on with it."

Murphy went on to tie the scores at 3-3 with things finely balanced heading into the rest of the session. Xintong was 3-0 up at the beginning of their battle, and allowing the Englishman back into the competition will allow the tension to heat up throughout the afternoon.

Whichever one progresses from this match-up will face the winner between John Higgins vs Neil Robertson. Higgins put up a spectacular display to dump Ronnie O'Sullivan out in the last 16.

Meanwhile, Robertson stormed to a 13-7 win over Chris Wakelin and will take on a confident Higgins later this afternoon.