John Higgins and Shaun Murphy remain inseparable after a gripping second session of their World Championship semi-final at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, with the score tied at 8-8 heading into the next stage of the match.
Higgins, a four-time world champion, began the session strongly and appeared more composed in the early exchanges compared to the opening day. He capitalised on a costly mistake from Murphy to take the first frame with a solid break, setting the tone for a competitive battle.
Murphy, chasing his second world title after a long wait since his first triumph, responded well with a high-quality break to regain momentum. The Englishman briefly drew level after a tight sequence of frames, showing resilience despite pressure from Higgins.
The match continued to swing back and forth, with both players punishing each other’s errors. Higgins produced a strong run of scoring, including a fluent break that helped him move ahead again, before extending his advantage with another impressive effort built on a confident long pot.
However, Murphy refused to fade, fighting back in scrappy fashion to win key frames and level the contest once more. A missed opportunity from Higgins in the closing stages allowed Murphy to restore parity, keeping the semi-final finely balanced.
The best-of-33 contest now moves into its third session, with both players still firmly in contention for a place in the final, as momentum continues to shift in one of the tournament’s most evenly matched encounters.
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