The Masters 2010
Venue: Wembley Arena, London Dates: 10-17 January
Coverage: Live on BBC Two, BBC Red Button and BBC Sport website

Brilliant century break helps Murphy beat Hendry

Shaun Murphy booked a place in the quarter-finals of the 2010 Masters following an enthralling 6-4 win over Stephen Hendry at Wembley Arena.

Despite hitting the first century break of the tournament with a 114, six-time champion Hendry found himself 4-2 down.

But Murphy held his nerve and added a century break of his own as he clinched the two vital frames for the victory.

Meanwhile, Mark Williams secured a second-round meeting with Ali Carter while Stephen Maguire also advanced.

The 27-year-old Murphy, the 2005 world champion, told the World Snooker website: "Any match against Stephen is a major event so I'm delighted to win. It was a high standard with big breaks and good safety.

When I went to the table and people shouted 'come on Stephen', that was free inspiration for me Shaun Murphy

"The majority of the crowd were supporting Stephen. The tide has turned since the 1990s when people wanted him to lose. Now he's a legend.

"When I went to the table and people shouted 'come on Stephen', that was free inspiration for me."

Hendry was left to rue a missed green in the final frame as Murphy sealed the win after receiving a lucky break as he potted the blue.

"There are no excuses for missing that green," said Hendry. "It was part twitch and part changing my mind. I didn't put a good cue action on it.

"I played OK, but to lose because of that miss is hard to take, because Shaun was getting nervous. It's frustrating because when I play well, the other guy seems to play well too."

Williams booked his place in the next stage of the competition with a 6-2 win over qualifier Rory McLeod.

The two-time former champion took the first frame but allowed McLeod, playing in his first Masters at the age of 38, to level the scores in the second.

But the Welshman took control and wrapped up the win in the eighth frame.

Williams' attendance at Wembley had been in doubt after heavy snow at his home in Cwm, Wales, made travel conditions treacherous.

But a sponsor provided a 4x4 car that allowed him to drive up the M40 to London.

"It's awful back at home, even now there's over two foot of snow," said the 34-year-old.

Potting problems for King and Maguire

World number two Maguire came through a tough encounter with Mark King to book his place in the quarter-finals.

The pair had been level at 3-3 with Maguire earlier recording a break of 121 before the Scot won the next three frames with breaks of 78, 87 and 82 to secure his path into the next round.

Maguire will now meet the winner of the Ryan Day against Joe Perry.

Masters wild card round:

Mark Williams (Wal) 6-2 Rory McLeod (Eng)
Mark King (Eng) 6-2 Jimmy White (Eng)

Masters first round:

Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng) v Neil Robertson (Aus)
Marco Fu (HK) 2-6 Peter Ebdon (Eng)
Allister Carter (Eng) v Williams
Shaun Murphy (Eng) 6-4 Stephen Hendry (Sco)
Stephen Maguire (Sco) 6-3 Mark King (Eng)
Ryan Day (Wal) v Joe Perry (Eng)
Mark Selby (Eng) 6-1 Ding Junhui (Chi)
John Higgins (Sco) v Mark Allen (NI)

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version