A red along the side cushion just stops in the jaws of the corner pocket to prevent Shaun Murphy starting with a century.

But he'll settle for 94 and the first frame on the board.

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

He played that to perfection.

It's always great to start a final with a one-visit win and put a marker down to your opponent.

Already Shaun is striking the cue ball beautifully. It's like a golfer with a perfect swing - you wonder how they ever miss a fairway, and you wonder how Shaun ever misses a shot with that cue action.

Image source, PA Media

A glorious cannon into the pack of the reds from Shaun Murphy in potting a black.

They split open beautifully and Murphy's lead is quickly up to 50 points and counting.

Well, if he was bothered by that wasp buzzing around him after the handshakes, Shaun Murphy is over it now.

A couple of early nervy misses from the Magician but Kyren Wilson cannot punish him and Murphy with a good chance to build a solid lead in this opening frame.

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

I'd be out of there!

But it does interrupt your focus. You're like a coiled spring ready to go - and you've got to delay, and then consequently Shaun didn't play the best break-off.

Here's the moment Shaun Murphy was bothered by a wasp earlier in the week.

It's returned to bug him today too. But the wasp eventually flies off and we're under way...

Both players have emerged to a raucous reaction at the Alexandra Palace, brought on, as always, by the inimitable MC Rob Walker.

Shaun Murphy opts to break off - but he's delayed by a wasp! Not for the first time this week...

Not since Ronnie O'Sullivan won here in 2014 has the reigning world champion won the Masters title.

Although Judd Trump did hold both titles at the same time in 2019, following up his Masters win in January by lifting his first - and, so far, only - Crucible crown that May.

Can Kyren Wilson become the latest player to hold both of these prestigious Triple Crown titles concurrently?

Well, he's going to have to forget about a pretty dismal head-to-head record against the Magician if he is to do just that... Murphy has won eight of their 11 meetings.

John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC Two

[Murphy's coach] Peter Ebdon has completely re-booted Shaun Murphy - his concentration has been fantastic.

There haven't been glitches on 30 and 40 breaks, handing his opponents a lifeline - he's been making 70s, 80s, 100s. Ebdon has turned him around.

It's been a fairly serene path to the final for Shaun Murphy, who has been in blistering form this week.

The world number seven has dropped just eight frames in his three matches, including a hugely impressive demolition job on Neil Robertson and, of course, that 147 in his semi-final.

Kyren Wilson, the reigning world champion and world number two, has been pushed a bit harder but, like Murphy, has won all three of his matches with something to spare.

There's a first prize of £350,000 on offer for the Masters winner, with the runner-up taking away £140,000.

• Winner: £350,000
• Runner-up: £140,000
• Semi-finals: £75,000
• Quarter-finals: £40,000
• Last 16: £25,000
• Highest break: £15,000 (currently 147 - Shaun Murphy)

Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC Two

The crowd lifted him along and we were standing up clapping in the studio. It was just a wonderful occasion.

We've only had six maximums in the 50-year history of the Masters. That tells you how hard it is.

He's such a showman, Shaun. He loves the crowd and they love him. What a great occasion.

Shaun Murphy has been in sparkling form at this year's Masters.

Having gone close to a 147 in his quarter-final against Neil Robertson, he finally nailed the maximum in his semi-final win over Mark Allen.

Check it out below.

In the Masters' illustrious 50-year history, only 11 players have lifted the title on multiple occasions.

Eight-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan, of course, heads that list - as he does most lists.

But the reigning champ won't add to his tally this year, having withdrawn on the eve of the tournament on medical grounds.

Instead, Shaun Murphy - champion back in 2015 - will bid to bag a second Masters crown, while world champion Kyren Wilson, runner-up to Mark Allen in 2018, seeks his first.

BBC Two

The entirety of today's final will be screened on BBC Two.

Coverage of this afternoon's session is just beginning - and it will resume at 19:00 GMT for the finale.

Of course, you can also tune in on the BBC iPlayer - and right here on the BBC Sport website and app by clicking 'Watch live' at the top of this page.

Good afternoon and welcome to our live text coverage of today's Masters final at the Alexandra Palace.

Over the past week, 16 of the game's top players in this prestigious annual event have been whittled down to just two - world champion Kyren Wilson and Shaun Murphy.

Now, over 19 frames this afternoon and this evening, they will do battle for the Paul Hunter Trophy - named in memory of the three-time former Masters champion - and a £350,000 winners' cheque.

Will Wilson add a first Masters trophy to his world title or will Murphy bag a second crown? We'll find out over the next few hours...