Murphy Establishes Commanding Lead Over Debutant Wells

Former world champion Shaun Murphy eased into a commanding 7-2 lead aft nan first convention of his World Championship first information lucifer against Crucible debutant Daniel Wells.

In a high-quality convention successful Sheffield, 42-year-old Murphy, aiming to triumph a 2nd world title 20 years aft his first success, won 4 frames successful a statement to return control.

He needs to triumph only 3 much frames erstwhile nan lucifer resumes connected Wednesday greeting (10:00 BST).

Murphy won nan Masters successful January and is looking to go nan first subordinate since Judd Trump successful 2018-19 to triumph that tourney and past nan World Championship successful nan aforesaid season.

He made a good commencement pinch a break of 64 but Welshman Wells, who had to conflict done 3 qualifying rounds to unafraid his spot astatine nan yearly 17-day event, showed his break-building expertise pinch a clearance of 131.

But Murphy showed his people pinch breaks of 63, 100, 57 and 138 to move into a ascendant 5-1 advantage.

Wells, 36, made his 2nd period pinch an effort of 109 successful framework seven, only for Murphy to instantly reconstruct his four-frame lead pinch a tally of 76.

A missed achromatic disconnected nan spot costs Wells nan chance to trim his arrears successful nan last framework of nan session, pinch Murphy taking advantage pinch a break of 89.

Later connected Tuesday, seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan will make his return aft 3 months distant from competitory action erstwhile he plays two-time runner-up Ali Carter (14:30 BST).

O'Sullivan, 49, has not played a competitory lucifer since snapping his cue astatine nan Championship League successful January.

Before nan tournament, he told BBC Sport that "to travel present is an accomplishment successful itself for me" arsenic he documented his struggles to find his champion shape successful caller years.

Also connected Tuesday, world number 1 Judd Trump originates his run against China's Zhou Yuelong (19:00 BST).

Two matches will beryllium played to a finish. China's Si Jiahui and Ding Junhui clasp 6-3 leads against David Gilbert and Zak Surety respectively.