Shaun Murphy has shattered Ronnie O'Sullivan's long-standing record for the most points scored without reply in a snooker match, achieving a remarkable 607 unanswered points during his 6-0 victory over Matt Selt in the last 32 of the China Open in Taiyuan on Sunday.
The 2026 World Championship runner-up was in sensational form, crafting breaks of 61, 132, 103, 139, and 113 to storm into a 5-0 lead without Selt registering a single point. Murphy opened the scoring in the sixth frame but failed to clinch the frame in one visit, allowing Selt to finally get on the board. That ended Murphy's run of unanswered scoring at 607 points, eclipsing the previous record held by O'Sullivan.
Record-breaking performance
O'Sullivan had set the previous benchmark of 556 points without reply against Ricky Walden at the Masters in 2014, a record that had stood for over 12 years. Murphy's feat surpasses that mark by 51 points, underscoring the magnitude of his achievement in Taiyuan.
Murphy's victory was as dominant as O'Sullivan's 6-0 hammering of Walden at Alexandra Palace in 2014, with the Englishman securing the sixth and final frame to complete the whitewash. This performance adds to Murphy's impressive season, having reached the World Championship final earlier this year.
Next challenge
Murphy now advances to the last 16, where he will face Chinese star Xiao Guodong, who defeated Anthony McGill 6-3 in his opening match. The tournament has already seen its share of upsets and standout performances, and Murphy's record-breaking display sets a high bar for the remainder of the competition.
According to snooker analyst Phil Haigh of Metro, "Murphy's scoring power was on another level, and to break a record that has stood for over a decade is a testament to his current form." The China Open, which has sparked a snooker revolution in recent years, continues to deliver thrilling action, and Murphy's achievement will be a highlight of the event.
Implications for the season
This record-breaking performance will undoubtedly boost Murphy's confidence as the season progresses. With the likes of O'Sullivan, Judd Trump, and other top players in formidable form, Murphy's ability to produce such dominant displays positions him as a serious contender for upcoming titles.
The snooker world will be watching closely to see if Murphy can maintain this level of play in the next rounds and whether he can add the China Open title to his list of achievements. For now, his name will be etched in the record books, a feat that few could have predicted at the start of the tournament.
