Anthony McGill eyes Shaun Murphy scalp to continue dream World Championships

CRUCIBLE sensation Anthony McGill will have to overcome Shaun Murphy’s powerful game and his startling dress sense if he is to reach the semi-finals of the Betfred World Championship.

Anthony McGillGETTY

Anthony McGill has caught the eye at the Crucible

Scottish qualifier McGill, 24, has lit up the tournament on his debut, knocking out defending champion Mark Selby and Stephen Maguire.

And he now faces Murphy after the 2005 champion, who stormed to victory a decade ago after himself coming through qualifying, beat Joe Perry 13-5.

Murphy played in a bright red ‘camouflage’ suit that blended perfectly with the carpet – and Perry never saw him coming.

Perry, 40, said: “Shaun is playing very well and is definitely a contender, but I just didn’t settle. That could have been down to Shaun’s suit.

“Put it this way, you’ve got to be playing well to pull that off! It might not be my choice and he’s going to get some attention.

“But you need different characters in the game – he’s got everything to win the world championship apart from a decent suit.”

Murphy said: “The suit is just trying to do something a bit different. If everyone wears black and white it’s a bit boring.

“Anthony McGill is by far and away a better player than I was when I broke through as a qualifier and won it at 22. I was just a mad potter, he is better all round and can actually play. It is going to be a really tough game.

“I am just pleased to get through and still be punching. Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry used to say the tournament starts in the semi-finals.”

Judd Trump will take on Ding Junhui after a 13-8 win over Hong Kong’s Marco Fu.

Five-time winner Ronnie O’Sullivan reached the quarter-finals with a 13-5 victory over Matthew Stevens.

Resuming with a 12-4 lead, O’Sullivan took the frame he needed at the second attempt and faces Stuart Bingham next.

“I built up a good lead so was happy just to come back for that,” said O’Sullivan.

“When you have won it five times and won everything, you don’t really get that excited. I am just happy to still be playing.” ‘I was just a mad potter’SNOOKER

By Hector Nunns

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