Shaun Murphy strengthened his claim as one of the favourites to win the World Grand Prix after breezing past fellow Englishman Ricky Walden in the first round in Preston. Murphy, who was crowned world champion back in 2005, has been enjoying a positive 2017-18 season and continued his good run of form with a convincing 4-1 victory over Walden at Guild Hall.
‘The Magician’ made breaks of 84 and 105 to book his spot in the second round and will take on Jack Lisowski next after his narrow 4-3 victory over Welshman Ryan Day. Murphy, who is 9/1 to lift the trophy, is 4/9 favourite to advance into the quarter-finals while his compatriot, who reached the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters last year, is a 17/10 shot. The 35-year-old from Harlow is well fancied to make a strong challenge for the 2018 World Championship, having recorded three runners-up finishes this season, while also triumphing in the 2017 Champion of Champions. He is currently priced at 20/1 to win the coveted event for the second time while defending champion Mark Selby is the joint 4/1 favourite alongside Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Elsewhere, Australian Neil Robertson advanced into the second round after dispatching David Gilbert 4-2. The 11th seed look in fine fettle as he made breaks of 58, 90, 59 and 102. Scotland’s Stephen Maguire also safely made it past the opening stage after whitewashing China’s Li Hang. The 36-year-old will take on Michael Georgiou after the Cypriot shocked Belgian Luca Brecel 4-0. Maguire is the firm 1/3 favourite to pick up the win while his opponent, seeded 30th for the tournament, is the 21/10 outsider.