Two Match Points, 6-1 + 6-3: Four Players Have Locked in the Quarterfinals, World Championship 4-Crown King Wins Big, Chinese Veteran Shows Greatness
Beijing time on January 14th at midnight, another focus match of the first round of the 2025 Snooker Masters ended, with four-time world champion Mark Selby winning 6-1 and advancing. Including Shaun Murphy's 6-3 victory over Gary Wilson, as well as the two match points from Ding Junhui and Neil Robertson, a total of four players have now secured their spots in the quarterfinals: Selby, Murphy, Ding Junhui, and Robertson.
Selby, a four-time world champion and the No. 4 seed for the tournament, faced "Captain" Carter, who is seeded 12th. Although they have had mixed results in previous encounters, Selby was in scorching form in this match. In the first half, Selby made a century break (108) and two 50+ breaks (62, 93), winning four consecutive frames to lead 4-0! After the intermission, Carter managed to pull one frame back, but Selby continued his dominance with breaks of 126 and 53 to win two more frames and easily defeat Carter 6-1, advancing smoothly to the quarterfinals.
Chinese veteran Ding Junhui exploded with brilliance, facing "Golden Left Hand" Mark Williams. Ding Junhui withstood the pressure, as the two players drew five times. In the decisive frame, Ding Junhui capitalized on Williams' mistake and won with a single stroke, securing a 6-5 victory! Throughout the match, Ding Junhui made six 50+ breaks, while Williams made one century break and two 50+ breaks.
Neil Robertson, who replaced O'Sullivan in the competition, also advanced by defeating Higgins 6-5. It's worth noting that among the 'Three Musketeers of '75, O'Sullivan withdrew, and Higgins and Williams have both been eliminated in the first round.
No. 8 seed Shaun Murphy did not face much of a challenge and easily defeated Gary Wilson 6-3.