Some lovely, crisp ball striking from Shaun Murphy sees him wipe out the 21-point deficit and he is striding around the table like a man of real purpose.

That's at least the second time Stephen Hendry has inflicted the commentator's curse on Kyren Wilson today.

A delicate little cut-back red clips the jaw and stays over the corner pocket, just 21 points the lead.

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

Kyren Wilson has come out looking very determined.

Shaun Murphy hasn't just taken on the world champion in this opening session - he had another opponent to face when we first got under way, in the shape of a wasp that wouldn't leave him alone as he took his break-off in the opening frame.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Very positive start to this second mini-session from world champion Kyren Wilson.

Strokes in a nice long red then a tricky yellow to middle to follow with the cue ball near the side cush.

Oh and then he picks out a cracker of a plant to really open things up.

The players are back out after a cuppa - or, in Kyren Wilson's case, a spot of practice.

Kyren Wilson will be hoping he can pull out some moments of magic like this in the remainder of this afternoon session.

Check out this effort from his quarter-final win over Luca Brecel - awkward bridging over the black ball, as well. Lovely.

John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC Two

Shaun has been doing it all week - there was a frame the other day where he was 65 behind, 67 on, just cleared up straight away.

He knows how important is to make that clearance because he's been on the other end of those in his time.

Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC Two

It's frames like that that can really be the difference towards the end of the match. That's a massive frame to steal.

Kyren was in making a lovely break and all of a sudden he's missed a red from nowhere. Shaun had to do a lot of work there, it wasn't straightforward.

A brilliant clearance.

Here's where the reds were when Shaun Murphy came to the table. Three in very awkward positions.

But some very clever development shots and fine positional efforts helped him clear the lot. The cut on the first red (bottom left) hardly a gimme starter either.

Simply excellent.

That's what you call punishment.

Kyren Wilson seemed certain to level matters at the interval but missed an almost unforgiveable red with the frame at his mercy.

And Shaun Murphy produces a sublime 65 clearance to pinch it on the black. This final already living up to expectation.

Image source, PA Media

When Shaun Murphy came to the table, a clearance looked difficult.

Even seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry said as much in the commentary box.

Now, after some superb snooker, it looks elementary. Just colours off the spots needed for a fantastic counter-clearance.

Steve Davis
Six-time world champion on BBC Two

This would be a great steal.

Three reds left, all safe-ish near the right hand side cushion.

But not any more - Murphy nudges two out in successive shots.

Commentator's curse klaxon (as Stephen Hendry acknowledges!)

Kyren Wilson misses a dolly of a red within touching distance of the frame.

Shaun Murphy back at the table, 60 points behind but with 75 on. He pots a red with the rest, continuing his perfect record this tournament with that item of equipment.

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

Image source, Getty Images

It's clear to see that Kyren has become an even better player since winning the World Championship.

Two wins already this season and he's just got that air of confidence about him.

There was no panic when he went 2-0 behind.

The world champion picks out a plant among the pack of reds to keep his break going and the balls are now extremely well-placed for a frame-winning contribution with his lead already touching 50 points.

Bit of luck for the Warrior to start frame four.

A long red wobbles in the jaws and collides with the cue ball, pushing the white back up to the safety of baulk.

Oh. Well, I said safety. Shaun Murphy just gets down, cue ball near the green pocket, and strokes in a superb long red.

But then he misses a cut-back black. The highs and lows of snooker summed up in the space of seconds. Big chance for Wilson again now.

Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC Two

That will settle Kyren down. It's an old cliche but you don't really settle down [until you win your first frame].

Shaun was bullying the table and his opponent in those opening exchanges, but now Kyren has a foothold.

It's a big frame coming up before the interval.

John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC Two

Kyren has made plenty of 60 and 70 breaks this week but none better than that.

That was a brilliant contribution - he made it all himself, it's not like he'd been put in among the balls or anything.