Crucible review: Former champion Murphy makes impressive start

Former World Champion Shaun Murphy made an impressive start to recapture the trophy he won in 2005 at the Crucible Theatre.

By The Newsroom

Published 22nd Apr 2010, 10:06 BST

Updated 22nd Apr 2010, 10:11 BST

The former Rotherham potter waltzed to an 8-1 first session lead over Gerard Greene in the first round meeting at the Betfred.com World Championship.

It means Murphy now needs just two more frames on Thursday afternoon to progress to a second-round meeting with Sheffield-based Ding Junhui.

2006 champion Graeme Dott defeated Peter Ebdon 10-5, which means the latter drops out of the top 16 players.

"I'm bitterly disappointed to be out of the top 16, but also very proud of being in that elite bracket for so long," said Ebdon.

Neil Robertson booked his passage into the second round after a hard fought 10-5 victory over Fergal O'Brien.

Robertson said: "Fergal is such a tough player, he just would not go away. It was like trying to get some chewing gum out of your carpet.

"I've won 10-5, but three of them were won on the black, so it could have been a different story out there."