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Murphy wants to keep No 1 spot
Shaun Murphy cues off at the 888.com World Championship knowing he could be crowned No 1 in the world by the end of the tournament.
For the Rotherham potter it's a fantastic achievement, and comes after a season which has seen the 2005 World Champion reach at least the semi-finals of the last five ranking tournaments.
In his last outing, he was pipped in the final of the China Open losing 10-9 to Stephen Maguire, but the 25-year-old will be back on 'home' territory this week and hoping he can hang on to his provisional world No 1 ranking.
"I can't wait for this year's World Championship, I've been working hard," said the adopted Yorkshireman. "I just want to get out there and play my match. If I play well, who knows, you might be looking at the new world champion in three weeks time."
Murphy is now under the watchful eye of Brandon Parker, former manager of Leeds star Paul Hunter, and is fresh from shaking hands on a six-figure sponsorship deal with Sheffield-based Evolution Power Tools.
"The more I've got to know Brandon, the more I like him," added Murphy, who meets Dave Harold in the first round at the Crucible.
"Brandon's the best guy around in his department and I'm looking forward to working with him."
Not that Murphy needs much managing. After turning professional at just 14, he became only the second player in history, after Terry Griffiths, to lift the World Championship after battling through the qualifiers.
Defeat in China meant he missed out on silverware, but it does leave him top of the rankings.
"I'm disappointed to lose after playing well all week, but I've really enjoyed my time here and I've no regrets,'' Murphy said after the final-frame defeat to Maguire. "It's been great preparation for me for the World Championships. I'm very pleased to be on top at the moment, but it doesn't mean anything unless I can stay there until the end of the season,'' he added.
Another target on Murphy's radar will be the double champion tag.
Only three people since the glory days of Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry have won more than one world title - John Higgins, Mark Williams and Ronnie O'Sullivan - and Murphy is determined to join that exclusive band.
This year could be his best chance as he has been placed in what most people will see as the easier half of the draw.
If he gets past Harold, his second match would be against either Ali Carter or Barry Hawkins, with a possible quarter-final match-up against Mark Selby, Mark King, Peter Ebdon or Jamie Cope.
For all the latest during the Crucible fortnight, read Richard Hercock at www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/snooker
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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