Shaun Murphy paid tribute to Kyren Wilson after the match (Image: Getty)
Newly crowned Masters champion has hailed his rival . Murphy held off a stirring fightback by the world champion his second title with a 10-7 win at Alexandra Palace on Sunday.
In a clear demonstration of his sportsmanship and sincerity, the 42-year-old hailed Wilson, saying: “He’s a great world champion”. His admirable words came post-game as he paid tribute to Wilson.
While he was basking in the victory of his fourth Triple Crown triumph, his first since winning the Masters in 2015, candidly revealed that he had considered his glory days to be long gone.
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“I must pay tribute to Kyren – he is a great world champion. He really took it to me and there was a stage a few frames ago when it was panic stations,” Murphy said to the . “I know how he feels to lose in this match. He conducts himself so brilliantly, so professionally. I can’t believe it, I am in shock.
“If I’m totally honest I thought these days were gone when I lost to Mark Selby in the 2021 final at the Crucible. I thought these days at the business end of events were gone.
“Peter Ebdon [Former world champion and current coach] has helped me rediscover that self belief. He has helped remind me that I am actually quite good at this… there is still a bit of life in the old dog yet.”
Having shored up a 6-2 advantage on Sunday afternoon, Wilson turned up the heat as the momentum of the match shifted dramatically. ‘The Warrior’ then knocked in breaks of 95, 78 and 65 as he won five of the first seven frames to reduce the deficit to just one frame at 8-7.
Murphy celebrates his monumental victory (Image: Getty)
However, Murphy’s luck swiftly changed as Wilson paid the price for missing a long red to the right corner in the 16th frame. ‘The Magician’ then held his nerve with an impressive 55 to move within a frame of victory before, ultimately ending his 10-year wait to triumph in the prestigious event.
Speaking to immediately after his loss, Wilson, 33, congratulated Murphy. However he a poke at their significant age gap. “I proved I am a world champion. Every credit to Shaun, making a century to finish for the fans. So well done Shaun,” he said.
“No disrespect to Shaun, he is turning into an old man now. So he needs this more than me. I am 33 years old, coming into my prime and I am having an amazing season. Runner-up obviously isn’t what I wanted, but I got Berlin next week, so I’ll go and smash it in Germany.”
Murphy’s victory means he has now sealed the biggest payday of his career with £350,000. A 147 maximum break against Mark Allen in the last four also ensured that he collects the £15,000 prize awarded for the enviable feat, while Wilson has pocketed a cool £140,000 for coming runner-up.