Shaun Murphy
Home  »    »  Murphy needs more magic to rock Robertson in Masters snooker final

Murphy needs more magic to rock Robertson in Masters snooker final

| 18.01.2015
SPORTSBOOK ODDS

World number one Neil Robertson is 2-0 up on Shaun Murphy in previous meetings at the Masters snooker, including a 10-6 victory in the final at Alexandra Palace three years ago.

Coral thus make ‘the Thunder from Down Under’ their odds-on 8/15 favourite to take the title, after crushing defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan 6-1 in the semis.

Rotherham native Murphy, nicknamed ‘the Magician’ is 6/4 to upset the Aussie, however, having trounced Mark Allen 6-2 in the other last four match-up.

As Robertson has a commanding head-to-head advantage of 19-10 in encounters with Murphy, he is a worthy favourite. That being said, however, he caught O’Sullivan cold, and was always in front, albeit putting together an awesome display.

Punters impressed by the Thunder should take the enhanced 6/4 odds for him to win a second Masters crown and make the highest break in the final.

A repeat scoreline (10-6 to Robertson) from 2012, meanwhile, is an 8/1 chance. Masters finals are a best of 19 frames affair, meaning there will be two sessions, and this year it’s 9/2 to go the distance.

The first four frames will set the tone for this contest. Robertson was 3-1 ahead against the Rocket in his semi, while Murphy showed real grit and character to come back from two down to be level against Allen. Odds of 8/5 say it will be two frames apiece.

Punters that saw something in the Magician’s magnificent comeback against Allen should take a great 9/2 price on Murphy making the highest break and taking this title, the one event in snooker’s Triple Crown that has eluded him, and that is on his mind.

“A lot has been said and written about me needing this to complete the triple crown. As much as you try and ignore it, you can’t,” Murphy said after wrapping up victory over Allen.

“It does mean so much to have another crack in the final. When Neil plays like he has done this week, he is almost unbeatable. It is my job to try and find a nick somewhere.”

«
»

Author

Jamie Clark

Athletics aficionado, die-hard snooker fan and Crystal Palace supporter Jamie has written for Coral since February 2014 after spells with Soccerlens and the Press Association as a digital journalist and copywriter. A former East Midlands sports correspondent and Bwin tipster, he is a graduate of both the University of York and University of Sheffield, with a Masters in web journalism from the latter.