Holder Wilson doesn't pot a ball in Murphy whitewash
Kyren Wilson beat Judd Trump to win the inaugural Xi'an Grand Prix in 2024
- Published
Shaun Murphy whitewashed defending champion Kyren Wilson to reach the Xi'an Grand Prix quarter-finals - and said it was "as good as I've ever played".
The 43-year-old hit a high of 141 in three centuries for a crushing 5-0 win over the world number two.
Wilson, the 2024 world champion, didn't pot a ball and scored just six points - thanks to a foul when Murphy hit the pink after being snookered - in the whole match against his relentless fellow Englishman, who made 533 in a row without reply.
"That's pretty much as good as I've ever played," said Murphy. "That's one of the best best-of-nine matches that I've ever been part of.
"It's mad. You play so many matches around the world throughout your life and every now and then it comes together."
A Crucible champion himself in 2005, Murphy will now face Ding Junhui in the last eight.
Ronnie O'Sullivan also continued his fine form with two century breaks in a 5-2 win over Jak Jones.
The seven-time world champion, who has impressed in his first tournament since August, will next play Gary Wilson in the quarter-finals.
Jones made a 140 to stay in the match, but O'Sullivan - who hit a best of 135 in the second frame - responded with an 81 break to seal the success.
The 49-year-old, who was a beaten semi-finalist in the first Xi'an Grand Prix last year, remained on course to win his first ranking title in 21 months.
Another former world champion, Mark Williams, fought back from 4-3 down to beat Barry Hawkins 5-4, but Stuart Bingham fell to a 5-3 loss at the hands of Lyu Haotian.