Dec 19,2024
Shaun Murphy was thrashed 4-0 by Ding Junhui as he fell at the first hurdle at the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship.
The former world champion scored just 44 points over four one-sided frames as Chinese star Ding cruised into the last eight.
There were bizarre scenes in the earlier session when China's Zhang Anda was on for a potential maximum break – and the million-dollar prize for potting the additional golden ball for a 167 – when the lights went out.
Zhang, playing home wildcard Ahmed Aseeri, had potted nine reds and nine blacks when a power failure caused the auditorium to be plunged into darkness.
When play eventually resumed, Zhang progressed to 97 but missed a tricky 13th black.
However, Zhang did at least go on to win the match 4-0.
Mark Selby, Mark Allen, Kyren Wilson, Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan will join the action on Thursday.
