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Murphy motors on

Image: Murphy: Semi-final

Shaun Murphy stormed into the UK semis by beating Stephen Lee, while Stephen Magurie joined him after edging John Higgins.

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Former world champion into last four at Telford

Shaun Murphy stormed into the semi-finals of the UK Championship with a comfortable 8-3 victory over Stephen Lee in Telford, and he now faces Stephen Magurie after he edged out compatriot John Higgins. Former world champion Murphy has won just one ranking event since his surprise Crucible triumph in 2005, but is now well in the hunt after powering beyond Lee. World number three Murphy lost the opening frame when Lee rattled in a break of 91, but he then answered back in outstanding fashion by reeling off seven frames on the bounce. Breaks of 70, 86 and two of 51 put Murphy in total control as they headed into the second session of the match. Lee composed himself during the break and started the evening by taking the opening two frames as the Trowbridge man got back into contention at 7-3. However, Murphy pulled out the biggest break of the match in frame 11 with his 98 taking him to the hill, and he converted by taking the next for a 9-3 win and place in the last four.

Scots battle

Higgins and Maguire had a much tighter battle in their all-Scottish affair, but it was the world number two who emerged with a 9-7 success to set-up a last four meeting with Murphy. Maguire had looked the better of the two during a scrappy first session, but Higgins dug his heels in to emerge with a 4-4 scoreline heading into the evening. A 73 and 63 gave Maguire the first two frames, but Higgins hit back with a century break, although Maguire got in again to move 7-5 ahead. Higgins showed his tenacity to level again at 7-7, but a crucial error in the next saw Higgins throw away his chance and Maguire stepped in to move 8-7 ahead. From there, the 2004 UK champion made no mistake in taking the vital frame he needed to make the last four and a battle with Murphy for a spot in the final.
Stronger
"I thought I was the stronger player but he kept coming back at me. Neither of us performed, he was pretty poor and I was just a bit better," was Maguire's assessment of the match. "I made good breaks in the last two frames, that's the way I want to be playing. "Shaun Murphy will be a tough match. He's back to form having struggled earlier in the season. Hopefully I'll do the same to him as I did last year."

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