Shaun Murphy came through an epic tussle with Dave Gilbert in York (Picture: Getty Images)
Shaun Murphy and Hossein Vafaei both battled to impressive late night victories at the UK Championship on Tuesday night, downing Dave Gilbert and Mark Selby respectively.
Murphy and Gilbert went all the way to a deciding frame with the Magician edging him out 6-5, but was still finished comfortably before Vafaei downed Selby 6-4.
Into the last 16, the Englishman has booked himself a clash with Judd Trump, while the Iranian has an attractive-looking contest with Jack Lisowski.
Murphy did not hide his delight after coming through a stern test against the Angry Farmer, especially the 133 he made in the tenth frame, saying: ‘I was so proud of myself, the way I stood up to be counted at 5-4, I made a really nice century break. A lot of people would have folded then, but that’s never been my way.
‘How many interviews have I given, sat here as a loser, particularly in the Triple Crown events of recent years. I’m absolutely delighted. It means absolutely everything to me and I gave it everything tonight.’
Hossein Vafaei has beaten Mark Selby in back-to-back UK Championships (Picture: Getty Images)
Vafaei has beaten Selby for the second consecutive UK Championship, making a century and two more breaks over 80, while the Jester made two tons of his own.
The Prince of Persia was especially proud of it as he is a huge fan of the four-time world champion.
‘I’m so pleased with that performance, I didn’t perform really well, but I managed to win, to stay there with Mark Selby playing safety as much as I can,’ he said.
‘Mark Selby has such a nice personality as well to play against, I respect him a lot, but he’s a really, really tough player to beat.
‘Snooker players don’t want to get Mark Selby at Triple Crown tournaments, but I have to say sorry to Mark Selby fans, I am one of his fans as well. Someone has to lose.’
MORE : Judd Trump baffled by ‘awful’ UK Championship record and performances
MORE : Jack Lisowski 2.0 ready to put his new game to the test after frustrating start to season
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A pair of epic scraps in York.
