Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

Image source, Getty Images

More on a potential breakaway tour to the World Snooker Tour

Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, 48, has said he is open to any proposition and urged players to do what was best for them.

After his win over Murphy, 43-year-old Stephen Maguire also said he would consider any offers, although he had not received any yet.

"I’m only hearing it from other players and I think it's good if someone else is interested," said the Scot.

"Some of the numbers that are getting thrown around, it's interesting. My ears are always open, I'm always listening, always looking. I've not been approached but my door is always open."

Only the top 16 players qualify automatically for certain WST events and two-time World Championship semi-finalist Maguire, ranked 28th, has not hidden his dislike of qualifying events - which are often untelevised with small crowds.

"If there’s another opportunity that does not mean Barnsley or Leicester I would seriously think about it. If there was a few years' guarantee, why not?" he said.

"Something is happening in the background. I'm not on social media so don't really hear things, unless people say 'Stevie, this is what's happening'. I'm looking and listening. My phone is always on."

Chris Saunders: Love it when a snooker player misses an easy shot then stares at the cloth as if a triceratops just walked across it doing the Can-can.

Kyren Wilson misses an easy black into the corner and mutters to himself in disgust. He pulls a face, rubs the cloth as if it's to blame and walks slowly back to his seat.

He's not punished though. Joe O'Connor misses a straightforward red and Wilson is back at the table.

Really thought-provoking comments from Shaun Murphy on the threat of a breakaway tour on the snooker scene (see 20:16 and 20:28 entries).

We'd really love your views on it, baize fans.

Anyone in favour? Or do you side with Murphy and believe it's a bad thing for the game?

Let us know via the methods outlined above.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

Image source, Getty Images

More from Shaun Murphy on a potential breakaway tour, speaking at his media conference after his match against Stephen Maguire.

Murphy, a non-executive player director on the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), called the current speculation "rumours and hearsay".

However, he believes if a breakaway tour does take off then players should have a choice of playing there or on the WST - but not both.

Murphy added: "They can play on the WST in major Triple Crown [World Championship, Masters and UK Championship] events with the history and prestige that Judd talks about or they can play on a new tour with an unknown backer and people we don’t know.

"How long will this pot of money last for? It's a case of be careful what you wish for.

"I wouldn't like a situation where players can go off and then come back to the Triple Crown events. I don't think that should happen. You stick your flag in the ground and declare your loyalty somewhere."

Kyren Wilson has the frame and is really imposing himself on this match now.

He could even wrap it up tonight with five frames still to play.

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Four

Ryan Day has had chances to win every single frame tonight - but he's lost three of them.

An 89 clearance from Ronnie O'Sullivan punishes the latest Ryan Day miss.

Ominous signs for the Welshman.

A thumping long red that thwacks into the heart of the pocket and gets Kyren Wilson in among the balls.

But Wilson misjudges a yellow and Joe O'Connor can still pinch this frame.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

Image source, Getty Images

Former Crucible champion Shaun Murphy believes any player who joins a potential breakaway tour should not be allowed to play in snooker's biggest events - including the World Championship.

On Saturday, 2019 winner Judd Trump revealed he had rejected an approach to join a possible new tour and said he was "not interested one bit" in leaving the existing World Snooker Tour (WST).

Murphy, who won the sport's biggest prize in 2005, said: "The players are talking about it. I've not been approached by anybody, I don't know anything about it and nobody has rung me. I've got no interest in it.

"I'm led to believe some players have signed NDAs (non-disclosure agreements). I heard my name mentioned with people saying I've signed an NDA but I haven't. I will finish this season and will look to return to the tour next season."

Trump, 34, said he had been contacted a few months ago but told potential investors to "go away", adding he was "very happy where I am" and preferred the "history and heritage" of the WST.

"I was pleased to see Judd nail his colours to the mast," said 41-year-old Murphy, who lost 13-9 to Scotland’s Stephen Maguire in the last 16 on Sunday.

"I've seen comments from players saying they have to make choices for their families. These players have taken and taken from the sport and they want to take even more and good luck to them.

"It's a shame they've not considered putting a bit more back into a tour that's given them so much before they run away."

A better frame for Kyren Wilson, getting among the balls and calmly re-establishing his four-frame cushion.

Joe O'Connor taps his chin with his fingers as Wilson wraps up the frame.

Image source, Getty Images

Shaun Murphy
2005 world champion on BBC Four

We've seen enough mistakes from Ronnie to know he's not playing at his absolute peak - but, unfortunately for Ryan Day supporters, he isn't having to.

The missed red with the rest in that frame was just one of a catalogue of errors that Ryan has made tonight and through this match so far.

Ronnie is going for his shots, he doesn't seem bothered and he's playing as if he's expecting Ryan to falter - and that in itself puts Ryan under pressure.

A 65 clearance from Ronnie O'Sullivan punishes the umpteenth error from Ryan Day in this last-16 match.

The 'Rocket' not having to produce his best, but he's three frames to the good.

Image source, Getty Images

John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC Four

You have to say Ryan Day has chucked away another chance.

All he can do is hope Ronnie misses.

He can't complain, Ryan - he's had an absolute bucket-load of chances.

It's got the measure of Ryan Day too, JP.

He's unable to take advantage of that O'Sullivan mistake and the 'Rocket' is back in, and ahead in frame 11.

JP Bruce: Is Table 2 noticeably tougher to play on than Table 1 this year? Been to two sessions and there’s been loads of misses that ordinarily would be going in. It's even got the measure of Ronnie!

One step forward, one step back for Ryan Day.

He's in first in frame 11 but goes a bit too high with the cue ball on the blue... decides to bludgeon into the pack while attempting to pot it, but misses.

However, Ronnie O'Sullivan can only make nine from that mistake. He's not as 'on it' as he was in his first-round 10-1 win over Jackson Page, the 'Rocket'.

Meanwhile, it took 18 minutes to pot the final brown of the first frame over the other side of the divide!

Joe O'Connor finally got it to reduce the gap to three frames.

Would have been a demoralising blow to have lost that one.

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Frame 10 has been a scrappy one but Ryan Day has by far had the best of it.

He's 43 ahead with 51 points remaining on the table.

Make that 44 with 43 on after a stunning fine cut on a red. Snooker behind the blue to follow and the Welshman should be reducing his deficit back to two frames.

Yep, a long red and Ronnie nods his head in concession.

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