World champion out of China Open
Bemused and bewildered by his 3,000-mile trek east, infrequent flyer Shaun Murphy was grounded by a first round defeat in the Star Group China Open this morning.
Murphy was beaten 5-2 by Nottingham’s Michael Holt in Beijing as he suffered his first opening match reverse in a ranking event since winning the World Championship 11 months ago as a 150/1 outsider.
“What I have found is that you have got to adapt to changes, in time zone, culture, diet, the lot. I have not,” said Murphy, who had not previously journeyed further than Malta to compete in a professional tournament.
“I played the match feeling totally drained. I was so tired that at one stage all I wanted to do was leave. I have been waking up in the middle of the night wide awake and I am absolutely knackered.
“After this experience I have got a much higher respect for the top golfers who fly all over the world, from continent to continent, week after week. I don’t know how they do it.
“Michael had never beaten me before but I am sure he came here looking for me. He played really well and took advantage of the mistakes I made. All I did was leave a couple of safety shots short and missed two pots,” added Murphy.
Holt has often surrendered sizeable leads – he lost 13-10 to Steve Davis in the second round of the World Championship last year from 8-2 up – but this time refused to wobble.
“It’s strange. I can’t see Shaun as world champion because I have known him since he was 10 playing junior snooker. To me he is just Shaun Murphy but I have never really been bothered by reputations anyway,” said Holt.
Title holder Ding Junhui next faces Scotland’s Graeme Dott, who after drawing a blank on four previous visits to China finally cleared his initial hurdle.
Dott, the 14th seed, eased past local wild card Yu De Lu 5-1.
