Shaun Murphy offers blunt view on Ronnie O'Sullivan's Masters withdrawal - 'Anyone who says no is telling lies'
Shaun Murphy has admitted that Ronnie O'Sullivan's Masters withdrawal has boosted his chances of a first major title in a decade.
The Magician booked his spot in the quarter-finals at Alexandra Palace after easing to a 6-3 victory over Gary Wilson, where he raced into an early 4-0 lead - before staving off a spirited comeback to set up a quarter-final clash with Neil Robertson. The Aussie shocked Scots ace John Higgins with a 6-5 victory from 5-1 down after only earning an 11th hour call-up when Ronnie O'Sullivan withdrew for health reasons.
And Murphy revealed that World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association have reached out to O'Sullivan to check on the veteran's wellbeing, but admits that players are kidding themselves if they believe it hasn't increased their chances of glory in London. The 2015 Masters champion told SportsBoom: "I've had moments in my career where I've been one of the flag bearers for the sport and expectation of me has been high. Ronnie's had that since 1992 and he's carried the sport on his shoulders, dragged people in from the streets, kicking and screaming to come and watch him play and to carry that weight of expectancy for that length of time must take a toll.
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"From a WPBSA player's point of view, we send him all our best regards. We hope he's okay. If he needs us, we're there for him, and I'm sure we'll see him at some stage. The first port of call, particularly as chairman of the Players Association, is to make sure he's okay. We've got a duty of care to our members to make sure that if there is a problem, then we reach out to them and offer them support. After that, you look at your draw and go, 'well, my chances of winning the Masters have just increased'. And I think anyone who says no is telling lies."
Looking ahead to his quarter-final meeting with Robertson, who sensationally fought back from 5-1 down to defeat John Higgins, Murphy added: "I mean, what a replacement he is, the greatest of all time gets replaced by a two-time winner. It's very, very difficult, but it's not called the Masters for nothing. It is just the best and it's an event that has gone from strength to strength with celebrating its 50th year, this year. It's an event with a magnificent history, and I'm delighted to, when I do hang my cue up, say I’ve been a part of it.”
