Impressive Ebdon Opens Big Lead
Peter Ebdon stormed 7-1 ahead against defending champion Shaun Murphy in their World Championship quarter-final.
Ebdon, the 2002 champion, never looked back after opening with a 116 break and followed up with runs of 64, 52 and 96.
His 96 in frame seven could have been a maximum but the Dubai-based 35-year-old failed to sink a red into the middle after potting 12 reds and 12 blacks.
A shell-shocked Murphy finally opened his acount when he won the last frame of the session courtesy of a 64 break.
The Rotherham-based player was a shock winner of the tournament 12 months ago after battling his way through the qualifiers.
No first-time world snooker champion has ever successfully defended their crown.
Meanwhile Ronnie O’Sullivan overcame problems with his cue to finish the first session of his World Championship quarter-final with Mark Williams 4-4, while Ken Doherty and Marco Fu are also locked in a draw at 8-8.
Graeme Dott leads Neil Robertson 10-6 after the first two sessions.
