Defending champion Shaun Murphy begins his Masters title defence against a player he describes as possessing some of the greatest raw talent he has ever witnessed. The Magician faces Chinese debutant Wu Yize in the first round at Alexandra Palace on Sunday, January 11, in what promises to be a thrilling start to the prestigious tournament.
Murphy's High Praise for Masters Debutant
Murphy, who won the Paul Hunter Trophy last year with a brilliant 10-7 victory over Kyren Wilson in the final, is under no illusions about the challenge ahead. He has faced the 22-year-old Wu only once before, securing a narrow 5-4 win at this season's Xi'an Grand Prix. Despite that victory, Murphy was left deeply impressed by his opponent's phenomenal skill.
'He's one of the highest potential players I've ever seen from any country,' Murphy told Metro. 'I came off saying he's one of the highest potential players I've ever seen.' The Englishman highlighted Wu's transformation from a bright prospect to a proven winner, following the Chinese star's triumph at the International Championship earlier this season.
That victory, which saw Wu beat snooker legends like Judd Trump and John Higgins en route to lifting the trophy, propelled him into the world's top 16 and earned him his Masters debut. Murphy noted his opponent's burgeoning confidence, stating, 'He's full of belief, full of self-confidence.'
Echoes of a Masters Legend
Murphy is not the first to draw comparisons between Wu and the late, great Paul Hunter, a three-time Masters champion whose life was tragically cut short. Murphy sees a stylistic resemblance, both in technique and aura. 'He reminds me, in a way, of the late Paul Hunter, who obviously made the Masters his own,' Murphy revealed.
'Even in his technique, he holds the cue at the very end, which Paul did. He's very, very reminiscent of Paul.' This comparison adds a poignant layer to Wu's debut at the event Hunter famously owned. Murphy also paid tribute to Wu's unique charisma, joking, 'He's got the best hair we've ever seen on tour... he has got the best barnet in the game, by some distance.'
Champion in Peak Form Ready for the Test
While wary of the threat posed by Wu, Murphy enters the tournament in the form of his life. After a period where his top-16 status was in question, the 2005 world champion has rebuilt his game to an elite level. 'I feel like I am playing the best snooker of my life right now,' Murphy asserted.
He emphasised his sustained performance over the past 12 months, a stark contrast to the pressure he faced a year ago. 'I'm in a totally different position than I was 12 months ago,' he said, grateful to have secured his seeding for major events like the World Championship. This newfound stability allows him to focus purely on the task at Ally Pally: navigating a perilous draw and retaining his crown.
The first-round match between Shaun Murphy and Wu Yize is the opening fixture of the 2026 Masters. The winner will progress to face either Mark Selby or Xiao Guodong in the quarter-finals.
