Murphy makes 147 maximum break in Masters semi-final win over Allen

Shaun Murphy defeated Mark Allen 6-3 on Saturday, achieving his sixth career maximum break of 147 in the process, to advance to the Masters final where he will compete for the championship against world champion Kyren Wilson. This victory not only marked a personal milestone for Murphy but also added further excitement to the final.

Murphy completed the astonishing 147 break during his semi-final match against Allen when leading 4-2. He stated after the match: “I can't believe it, it’s an unbelievable moment, one of the best of my snooker career. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve dreamt of making a 147 in a BBC event. I’ve had chances before and messed them up. Huge thanks to the crowd for their support, they were amazing.”

Murphy is the fifth player to make a 147 at the Masters since the tournament's inception in 1975. Prior to him, Kirk Stevens first achieved this feat in 1984, followed by Ding Junhui (twice), Marco Fu, and Allen. Murphy's maximum break not only won him the match but also earned him the applause of the audience, showcasing the "Magician's" superb skills.

On the other hand, Wilson advanced strongly to the final by defeating world number one Judd Trump 6-3 in his semi-final match. Wilson performed exceptionally well in the match, scoring multiple high breaks, including 61, 89, 60, 76, 88, and 85, and finished the match with a brilliant century break. He stated: “I’ve had a great season, but I’m not satisfied and want to achieve more. As world champion, you feel like you are ‘the strongest,’ but every match starts from zero.”

In previous matches, Trump had defeated Wilson multiple times, including at the same stage of the UK Championship in November. However, in this semi-final, Wilson demonstrated strong competitiveness, winning four consecutive frames to ultimately defeat Trump. This victory not only showcased Wilson's strength but also foreshadowed an exciting final showdown. Murphy and Wilson will engage in a fierce battle in the final to compete for the title of this year's Masters champion.