Shaun Murphy complains as fan at Crucible says he played a 's*** shot' during World Snooker Championship clash

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Respect from the watching fans is a big part of playing at the Crucible in the World Snooker Championship. And Shaun Murphy found out first-hand what can happen if that line is overstepped.

'Total class' - Murphy takes slender lead over Fan with 140 break

Video credit: TNT Sports

In an Instagram story, Murphy said that he received some not-so-helpful feedback from a spectator during his first-round match against Fan Zhengyi in Sheffield on Monday.

"Just a friendly reminder... If you're sat on the front row in the Crucible and I play a shot that may not work for a particular reason, it's probably best not to say 's*** shot' out loud. I've got ears..." the 43-year-old wrote on Tuesday.

He added: "I missed my next shot as I was contemplating which end of my cue to nut him with."

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Despite the feedback from the crowd, Murphy held off two comebacks from Fan and produced a 140 total clearance to ensure he will hold a narrow 5-4 lead when their match resumes this evening, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

Murphy is a previous victor at the Crucible, having won the World Snooker Championship in 2005.

He is also a three-time runner-up at the event, losing in the final in 2009, 2015 and 2021.

Murphy won his first British Open title in September last year and reached the semi-finals of the UK Championship in December.

‘Felt like I had the match won’ – Moody ‘gutted’ after loss to Wilson

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Elsewhere at the Crucible on Monday, 19-year-old debutant Stan Moody lost seven straight frames in a defeat to 2024 world champion Kyren Wilson.

Moody had played superbly in the morning session to take a 6-3 lead over Wilson into the evening. But after winning the evening’s opening frame, it all went wrong.

The crucial moments came in frames 11 and 14. In the second frame of the night, Moody missed the last red, which would have left Wilson needing snookers. The Kettering man went on to force a re-spotted black, which he won.

Then in the 14th, Moody made a 68 break - the biggest of the evening session - and Wilson needed three snookers.

But, perhaps showing the impetuosity of youth, Moody missed on three occasions, two of which were fairly easy escapes for players at this level.

'Major plot twist' as 'impetuous' Moody flounders in 'terrific' Wilson snooker

Video credit: TNT Sports

Afterwards, Moody said he was "gutted" with how his maiden World Snooker Championship ended.

"I felt like I had the match won at 7-3. I missed the red to go 8-3 and it just went downhill from there," he told TNT Sports.

"[They are] long matches, a lot of pressure. There are a lot of swings. A top player like Kyren, you're expecting them to come back.

"I felt like I was the better player today, but just a bit of experience and losing bad frames hurt.

"It's a bit of a disappointing end, but I'll have a few days off to think about what's happened. It's been amazing. The crowd were amazing. I've gained a lot of fans and I enjoyed it out there."

Wilson will face Mark Allen in the second round - live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

You can watch every day of the 2026 World Snooker Championship live on TNT Sports. It is available both live and on-demand on HBO Max

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