{"id":8870,"date":"2026-05-02T20:07:58","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T20:07:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=8870"},"modified":"2026-05-02T20:07:58","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T20:07:58","slug":"shaun-murphy-responds-to-like-god-john-higgins-comment-after-crucible-clash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=8870","title":{"rendered":"Shaun Murphy responds to ‘like God’ John Higgins comment after Crucible clash"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Shaun Murphy got the better of John Higgins over 32 frames (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

John Higgins heaped serious praise on Shaun Murphy after their Crucible semi-final, saying the Magician hits the ball \u2018like God.\u2019<\/p>\n

Murphy emerged from their epic World Championship semi with a 17-15 victory, booking a spot in the final, which starts on Sunday at 1pm.<\/p>\n

There was little between the players for much of the contest, but the Magician was superb in the final session, coming into it 11-13 behind.<\/p>\n

The 43-year-old made three centuries in the final session on Saturday afternoon and claimed the final four frames on the spin to secure a fifth trip to a Crucible final.<\/p>\n

Higgins was disappointed to miss out on a ninth final for himself in Sheffield, but was blown away by how Murphy played in the final session.<\/p>\n

\u2018Shaun, you can\u2019t hit the ball better than that, the way Shaun hit the ball in the last session, it was incredible,\u2019 Higgins said on the BBC. \u2018He hits it like God. Disappointed, but what can you do?\u2019<\/p>\n

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You’re in the right place. I’m Phil Haigh, and I cover the game we all love for Metro<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In my new newsletter, The Table, I analyse the biggest talking points, pull back the curtain on the sport and crown the biggest winners and losers every week.<\/p>\n

The next edition will look back on what has been a great World Championship yet again, so there’s no better time to sign up.<\/p>\n

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Phil has been reporting on snooker for over a decade, since working in World Snooker’s press office in 2012<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

He added: \u2018Shaun was awesome, every credit. It was a great three days, I thought it was a really good match, traded punch for punch. Shaun just came out the stronger at the end so congratulations to him.\u2019<\/p>\n

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John Higgins was very impressed by Murphy on Saturday (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Being labelled a divine cueist by one of the greatest players in history is going to be a boost for anyone\u2019s confidence and Murphy didn\u2019t deny that it was nice to hear.<\/p>\n

\u2018Yeah, I\u2019ll take that,\u2019 he said. \u2018I don\u2019t like to give myself too much praise, but I\u2019m going to have that one.\u2019<\/p>\n

The Magician was not short of praise for the 50-year-old either, telling the BBC: \u2018John Higgins, what a player, what a man. The harder it gets out here, the tougher he gets, the better he plays, Would you give me a break? <\/p>\n

\u2018What a player, what a competitor, what a man he\u2019s been. If I\u2019m half the player when I\u2019m in my fifties as he is, I\u2019ll be very proud.\u2019<\/p>\n

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Murphy is into a fifth Crucible final (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Having been stunned by Murphy\u2019s performance late on in the game, Higgins admitted that it is surprising the Englishman has just one World Championship title to his name.<\/p>\n

\u2018It is\u2026it is [surprising], but then you look at the other players. It\u2019s just a tough tournament to win,\u2019 said the Wizard of Wishaw.<\/p>\n

\u2018[Judd] Trump\u2019s only won it once, [Neil] Robertson\u2019s only won it once, Shaun\u2019s only won it once. Some guys have not won it. Ding [Junhui]\u2019s not won it. It\u2019s such a tough tournament to win.<\/p>\n

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Shaun Murphy\u2019s world title came 21 years ago (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018He\u2019s got a chance to now win it a second time, but he\u2019s going up against Wu [Yize] or Mark [Allen] who are desperate to win it for a first time.<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s set up nicely for the final two days.\u2019<\/p>\n

Murphy accepted that he had got his tactics just slightly wrong ahead of the final session, deciding to be a little more circumspect at times.<\/p>\n

\u2018I felt like I\u2019d perhaps pushed the pedal a couple of times when I should have waited,\u2019 he said. \u2018There was two or three shots. I just thought, he [Higgins] wouldn\u2019t have played that. Mark Selby wouldn\u2019t have played that.<\/p>\n

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