Northern Ireland Open 2023 snooker as it happened: Shaun Murphy advances after Mark Allen beats Ben Mertens
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ByEurosport
Updated 22/10/2023 at 22:30 GMT
Neil Robertson, Judd Trump, Mark Williams, Jimmy White, Mark Allen and Shaun Murphy are all in action on a bumper first day of play from the Northern Ireland Open. Robertson kicks things off at 10:00 with a match against Wu Yize, with Judd Trump taking on Jenson Kendrick at 13:00. Then the evening session will see defending champion Mark Allen, Shaun Murphy and Jimmy White take to the baize.
Trump delighted to claim Wuhan Open title - ‘I think maybe I should move here’
That's all for today
That brings an end to our coverage on the opening day of the 2023 Northern Ireland Open. Join us at 10am tomorrow morning when Barry Hawkins and Hossein Vafaei will be in action, while Neil Robertson, Shaun Murphy and Mark Allen will take centre stage later on at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.
Have a very good evening and we'll see you tomorrow!
Result: Murphy 4-2 Thomerson
Though he was pegged back to 3-2 from 3-0 up, Shaun Murphy eventually sees off Ryan Thomerson to book his place in the second round.
Murphy 3-2 Thomerson (67-24)
Murphy is over the line as he gets to the snookers required stage. This is now a victory lap for the Magician.
Murphy 3-2 Thomerson (40-24)
The balls have gone scrappy with both players seeking an opportunity. But Murphy has one after a poor safety by Thomerson. Can he seal the deal here?
Murphy 3-2 Thomerson (21-24)
Murphy closes the gap, but has been unable to capitalise on a couple of opportunities. Things have got a little scrappy here.
Murphy 3-2 Thomerson (0-24)
Thomerson is evidently growing in confidence after crunching in a brilliant opening red. He takes early control of the frame with 24 before playing safe.
Murphy 3-2 Thomerson
The Australian reduces the deficit further, crunching in a long brown to seal frame five and now trail his opponent by just one.
Murphy 3-1 Thomerson (31-57)
Thomerson gets to the snookers required stage, but Murphy will play on after he misses the brown off its spot.
Murphy 3-1 Thomerson (31-31)
Thomerson is unfortunate not to develop the reds more favourably from potting the black. A lovely plant gets Murphy in, but the Magician uncharacteristically misses with the rest again when looking good to close out the match. There is hope for his opponent yet.
Murphy 3-1 Thomerson (8-5)
Murphy has already seen multiple chances go begging in this fifth frame. This is where Thomerson must punish if he is to mount a fightback.
Murphy 3-1 Thomerson
After his earlier 41, a further run of 46 sees Thomerson avert the whitewash. Is this the start of an inspired comeback?
Murphy 3-0 Thomerson (8-71)
Barring snookers from Murphy, the Australian is set to get his first frame on the board. He is looking to clear the table here and continue building momentum.
Murphy 3-0 Thomerson (8-42)
No, he can't. Murphy misses a red to the right centre, and Thomerson has another opportunity to keep his hopes alive.
Murphy 3-0 Thomerson (0-41)
Leaving himself a little high on the black, Thomerson undercuts it and lets Murphy back in. Can the Magician close out the victory here?
Murphy 3-0 Thomerson (0-24)
Thomerson cannot afford any more slip-ups. He has a decent opportunity in the fourth frame and is already on 24 and counting.
Murphy 3-0 Thomerson
Not quite a century, but a swift run of 91 quickly puts Murphy on the brink of victory.
Across the tables
- Anthony McGill 2-0 Jimmy White
- Rory McLeod 1-0 Ahmed Elsayed
Murphy 2-0 Thomerson (7-0)
The Magician is in again early in frame three after Thomerson misses a long red to the corner.
Murphy 2-0 Thomerson
A further run of 36 is more than enough for Murphy to double his lead and move halfway to victory.
Murphy 1-0 Thomerson (35-0)
Murphy breaks down on 34 after missing a pink with the rest. But the Magician is soon back at the table after Thomerson fails to capitalise.
Murphy 1-0 Thomerson (12-0)
Just like in the opening frame, Thomerson plays a loose safety shot and hands Murphy the first opportunity. What will the Magician make of this?
Murphy 1-0 Thomerson
The first frame was one of many twists and turns. It eventually goes the way of Murphy, who clears from brown to pink to edge his nose ahead.
Murphy 0-0 Thomerson (60-56)
Thomerson has another chance in this scrappy opening frame after Murphy misses a tricky yellow to the right centre. But he significantly underscrews his positional shot on the brown and is forced to play safe.
Murphy 0-0 Thomerson (40-51)
A loose safety from Murphy hands Thomerson an opportunity to counter. The Australian edges his nose in front, but cannot fully capitalise after missing a tight red to the right corner.
Murphy 0-0 Thomerson (40-29)
Thomerson floats in a lovely long red and eventually closes the gap to 11 points. There are 75 left on the table, but a safety battle is currently in progress.
Results
- Gary Wilson 4-3 Louis Heathcote
- David Gilbert 4-1 Joel Connolly
Murphy 0-0 Thomerson (40-0)
The break ends at 40 as Murphy misses the pack with his attempted split from the black. The Magician misses an ambitious long red, but does not leave it on.
Murphy 0-0 Thomerson (24-0)
A loose safety from Thomerson presents Murphy with the first opportunity of this match.
Mark Allen reaction
Assessing his performance with Alan McManus, Allen answers: "Average, but I just did what I needed to do.
"It wasn't about playing well tonight, it was just about getting through a potential banana skin because Ben's a classy opponent. I want to get that first win under the belt and get into the tournament."
Stay tuned
Don't go anywhere! Next up, we will have coverage of Shaun Murphy's showdown with Ryan Thomerson on the main table.
Result: Allen 4-0 Mertens
Although he misses the green, Allen is handed another opportunity and makes no mistake at the second attempt. The Pistol was not at his free-flowing best, but it was more than enough to begin his title defence with a win.
Allen 3-0 Mertens (56-35)
Mertens manages to cut the gap and the two players are involved in a safety battle on the yellow. You feel that will be crucial in this frame.
Allen 3-0 Mertens (55-14)
There is hope for Mertens yet! Allen is in for victory, but inexplicably misses a routine pink off its spot.
Elsewhere
- Gary Wilson 3-3 Louis Heathcote
- David Gilbert 3-1 Joel Connolly
Allen 3-0 Mertens (8-14)
Time and chances are running out for Mertens. He is in first in frame four, but runs out of position on a colour. The Belgian then misses a red to the right corner and, though there is work to do, Allen has a chance for frame and match.
Allen 3-0 Mertens
After a scrappy start to the third frame, Allen eventually punishes a loose safety by his opponent with a run of 54. That is enough to move him within a frame of victory.
Allen 2-0 Mertens (20-19)
It has been over eight minutes since a ball was potted in this third frame. It seems patience will be key for both players.
Allen 2-0 Mertens (16-19)
Chances are not falling too freely here for either player. The reds are spread in decent positions, but the black, yellow and brown are all off their spots.
Allen 2-0 Mertens (0-14)
Hitting a red at the fourth attempt, Allen leaves it over the left centre. Mertens pots but the cue-ball catches the jaws of the corner pocket and he is not on a colour, so has to play safe.
Allen 2-0 Mertens (0-5)
A safety battle is in progress during the early stages of this third frame. Mertens has the upper hand as he puts Allen back in after the Pistol fails to hit a red with his attempted safety from near the baulk cushion.
Around the tables
- Gary Wilson 2-0 Louis Heathcote
- David Gilbert 3-0 Joel Connolly
Allen 2-0 Mertens
Mertens' loose safety leaves Allen a tempting long red, which he pots before clearing to the pink with 37 to take the second frame and double his lead.
Allen 1-0 Mertens (36-48)
Allen closes the gap to 12 points, but catches the green while trying to come round for the reds after potting the blue. That stops him in his tracks, and he is forced to play safe.
Allen 1-0 Mertens (0-48)
The Belgian is going along nicely until he misses a red to the right corner. Allen now has a chance to counter.
Allen 1-0 Mertens (0-10)
An early chance for Mertens to respond as he knocks in a brilliant opening red before splitting the pack nicely from the blue. Can he capitalise?
Allen 1-0 Mertens
Allen appears to have let the opening frame slip when he misses a pink to the left centre. But Mertens then overcuts the black, which the relieved reigning champion knocks in to draw first blood.
Allen 0-0 Mertens (22-53)
Mertens cannot fully capitalise as he sees a red catch the far jaw of the left centre whilst awkwardly bridging over the cluster. Back to the table comes Allen.
Allen 0-0 Mertens (22-17)
Allen takes the lead in the frame, but misses a slow red to the right centre. That hands his opponent an unexpected second opportunity.
Allen 0-0 Mertens (0-17)
The Belgian is in first, but misses a thin red to the left corner and Allen has a great opportunity to counter in the opening frame.
Hat-trick hero?
Allen has won each of his last 14 matches at the Northern Ireland Open. The Pistol is aiming to complete a hat-trick of titles at his home event, and become the second player to achieve the feat after Judd Trump between 2018 and 2020.
Welcome back
Thank you for joining us again as we continue our coverage on the opening day of the 2023 Northern Ireland Open. Home favourite and reigning champion Mark Allen takes centre stages this evening when he plays Ben Mertens.
1645: AND THAT'S ALL FOR NOW....
Thanks for joining our coverage of the Northern Ireland Open where Judd Trump and Mark Williams have both booked their place in the second round. Join us again for the evening session from 1845.
1640: EARLY RESULTS:
Robertson 4-1 Wu
Trump 4-1 Kendrick
Wilson 3-4 Craigie
Williams 4-1 Tian
Walden 4-2 Woollaston
Milkins 3-4 Cao
Day 3-4 Hailong
Trump 4-1 Kendrick
Wilson 3-4 Craigie
Williams 4-1 Tian
Walden 4-2 Woollaston
Milkins 3-4 Cao
Day 3-4 Hailong
WILLIAMS RUES 147 CHANCE:
"I had a few good breaks, I knew I had the chance for the 147 in the first frame but I just couldn't screw it back so I went for the 140," Williams told Eurosport's Alan McManus after his victory.
WILLIAMS 4-1 TIAN: VICTORY CONFIRMED FOR WILLIAMS
A very comfortable victory for the Welsh Potting Machine.
WILLIAMS 3-1 TIAN (70-0): WILLIAMS INCHES FROM VICTORY
He looked set for another hundred break before missing a red in the middle pocket.
WILLIAMS 3-1 TIAN (0-91): TIAN STAYS IN THE GAME
He will be disappointed to have not notched a century, but his 91-break keeps him in the match.
ON THE OTHER TABLES:
Ricky Walden has beaten Ben Woollaston 4-2. He plays Dominic Dale in the next round. Rebecca Keane is leading Jack Lisowski 1-0.
WILLIAMS 3-0 TIAN (94-17): WILLIAMS ONE FRAME AWAY FROM VICTORY
A break of 59 gives him a clear lead and puts him on the cusp of round two.
WILLIAMS 2-0 TIAN (35-17): BOTH PLAYERS HAD CHANCES
But the frame is still up for grabs.
WILLIAMS 2-0 TIAN (81-43): WELSHMAN PULLS TWO CLEAR
Tia brought the scores closer but Williams polished off the frame with a 31-break.
WILLIAMS 1-0 TIAN (50-0): BREAK ENDS ON 50
Tian with a chance to respond.
1526: ON THE OTHER TABLES
Wilson 3-4 Craigie
Walden 2-1 Woollaston
Walden 2-1 Woollaston
WILLIAMS 1-0 TIAN (28*-0): POOR BREAK SETS UP WILLIAMS AGAIN
And it looks like Tian will be further behind shortly.
WILLIAMS 1-0 TIAN (144-0): ULTRA-IMPRESSIVE START
A Tian in-off led to a total clearance of 140 from the Welsh potting machine.
WILLIAMS 0-0 TIAN (61*-0): IMPRESSIVE OPENING FROM WILLIAMS
7 Reds, 7 Blacks, but he falls out of position and has to go for the blue.
1504: WILLIAMS-TIAN BEGINS
Mark Williams faces Tian Pengfei now on the main table.
1456: SCORES ON THE OTHER TABLES
Wilson 2-3 Craigie
Walden 1-1 Woollaston
Walden 1-1 Woollaston
1450: TRUMP: "I FELT VERY, VERY RUSTY"
"He made a very good break in the first frame and I was just hoping he'd miss a pot," Trump told Eurosport's Alan McManus after the match.
"I felt very, very rusty. I knew I was going to be nowhere near my A game."
TRUMP 4-1 KENDRICK (96-0): MISSED DOUBLE TO CONTINUE MAXIMUM ATTEMPT, BUT SECURES MATCH
After 24 perfect pots, he missed the double and was nearer potting the 13th red with a treble. After a good start from Kendrick it was ended a strong performance from the three-time champion though.
TRUMP 3-1 KENDRICK (80-0): 10 REDS, 10 BLACKS...
On like Donkey Kong! Only one red on the cushion is tricky by the right middle pocket is tricky.
TRUMP 3-1 KENDRICK (56-0): 7 REDS, 7 BLACKS...
Could Trump be on for a maximum?
TRUMP 3-1 KENDRICK (79-13): TRUMP A FRAME AWAY FROM VICTORY
He clears down to the pink to ensure he wins the fourth frame.
TRUMP 2-1 KENDRICK (63-5): BREAK OF 47 PUTS TRUMP ON BRINK OF TWO-FRAME LEAD
Kendrick needs two snookers to stay in the frame.
1417: ON THE OTHER TABLES...
Kyren Wilson 1-2 Sam Craigie
Ricky Walden 0-1 Ben Woollaston
Ricky Walden 0-1 Ben Woollaston
1415: EARLIER GAMES...
Neil Robertson 4-1 Wu Yize
Robert Milkins 3-4 Cao Yupeng
Ryan Day 3-4 Hailong Ma
Robert Milkins 3-4 Cao Yupeng
Ryan Day 3-4 Hailong Ma
TRUMP 2-1 KENDRICK (85-6): TRUMP MOVES AHEAD
Kendrick moved out of position and then left an easy pot for Trump to win the third frame.
TRUMP 1-1 KENDRICK (55-0): TRUMP BREAK OF 55
It ends with him falling out of position resting against a pack of reds rather than opening up a pot.
TRUMP 1-1 KENDRICK: UNLUCKY BOUNCE OFF JAW...
Trump gifted an easy yellow to get restore parity but Kendrick is playing the better snooker.
TRUMP (0-1) KENDRICK (64-34): TWO MISSES LEAVES KENDRICK NEEDING A SNOOKER
The balls could not be better positioned to get this though.
TRUMP 0-1 KENDRICK (32*-22): FLUKE RED SETS UP TRUMP WITH FRAME CHANCE
It's been a messy frame but with a red inadvertently going in after ricocheting off a baulk colour has set him up to take the second frame.
TRUMP 0-1 KENDRICK (6-3*): KENDRICK GETS AWAY WITH BIZARRE BREAK ERROR
His break came back from the bottom cushion and ricocheted off the pink, but Trump could only put six points on the board and after a fine pot Kendrick is back on the table.
CAO YUPENG 4-3 MILKINS
A hundred break in the fifth frame and one of 62 in the decider put Cao Yupeng into the second round at the expense of Robert Milkins.
TRUMP 0-1 KENDRICK (45-90): MAGNIFICENT CLEARANCE FROM KENDRICK
He potted the awkward red Trump left after his double and Kendrick went on to clear up with a superb exhibition of potting and cue ball control. "As good a break of 90 as you will see," Eurosport commentator Philip Studd.
TRUMP 0-0 KENDRICK (45-0): BREAK ENDS ON 45
He attempted a double red to continue the break but has to settle for this early advantage.
TRUMP 0-0 KENDRICK: TRUMP SET FOR BIG BREAK
After a safety exchange, Trump potted a long red and is now settled building a break with the reds around the black spot.
1303 - TRUMP FAVOURITE TO BACK UP ENGLISH AND WUHAN OPEN TRIUMPHS
He is the 3/1 favourite as he looks for a fourth Alex Higgins trophy, with local hero Mark Allen 8/1 to win a third straight title.
1300 - ROBERTSON ALREADY THROUGH
He defeated Wu Yize 4-1 this morning.
1252 - TRUMP UP FIRST...
He is coming off his triumphant at the Wuhan Open and faces Jenson Kendrick starting at 1pm.
1245 - HELLO AND WELCOME...
Thanks for joining our coverage of the Northern Ireland Open which gets underway shortly.
---
Ranking snooker is back in Northern Ireland after the tour circuit makes its way back from China.
The breathless nature of the 2023/24 season continues, with the stars of snooker heading back from Wuhan for the Northern Ireland Open.
Mark Allen is the current champion after his excellent season in the last campaign, but he has been less impressive in the new competition year.
Judd Trump has both the Wuhan Open and English Open to his name in 2023, so will be looking for a ranking title hat-trick.
When and where is the Northern Ireland Open 2023?
The Northern Ireland Open will be held at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland, from October 22 to October 29.
What is the format at the Northern Ireland Open 2023?
All matches are best-of-seven until the quarter-finals, which are the best-of-nine frames.
The semi-finals are best-of-11 frames, with the final a two-session, best-of-17 affair.
How to watch the Northern Ireland Open 2023?
In the UK and the rest of Europe, you can watch all the action live on Eurosport and discovery+.
Eurosport.com is the destination for daily live blogs, reports, reaction and news.
Stream top snooker action, including the Northern Ireland Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com.
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