Wu Yize Sets Up Murphy Rematch as World Champion Fires Three Centuries at Shanghai Masters
The World Champion Is Back — And He Looks Dangerous
Wu Yize announced his return to competitive snooker in emphatic style on Wednesday, dismantling fellow Chinese star Si Jiahui 6-2 in the second round of the Shanghai Masters with a display that included three century breaks. The world champion — still only 22 and the second-youngest player ever to lift the Crucible trophy — now faces a mouth-watering quarter-final rematch against Shaun Murphy, the man he defeated in that unforgettable 2026 World Championship final.
It wasn't completely straightforward. Yize raced into a 3-0 lead before Si Jiahui clawed two frames back to make it 3-2, and for a moment it looked as though the world champion's admitted rustiness might cost him. It didn't. Yize then produced the kind of snooker that won him the world title — breaks of 108, 140 and another 140 — to close out three consecutive frames and seal the win in style. When a player starts pinging in back-to-back 140s, you know he's found his rhythm.
"It was great to feel the enthusiasm from the crowd. It's been quite a while since I last played in front of fans like this," Yize told reporters afterwards. "I also haven't really had the chance to practise properly recently, so when I got back out there I felt a little rusty at first. Fortunately, I managed to find my own rhythm and I think that was the key to winning today's match." That kind of honest self-assessment from the reigning world champion is actually a useful betting signal — he knows his game, and he knows when it's clicking.
Murphy Survives a Scare to Set Up the Rematch
On the other side of the draw, Shaun Murphy had a considerably tougher afternoon. The Magician — a former world champion himself and the man Yize beat at the Crucible — was taken all the way to a deciding frame by Zhou Yuelong before eventually winning 6-5. Murphy's 65 break in that final frame proved decisive, and it's the kind of clutch performance under pressure that reminds you never to write him off. Murphy has been in decent touch this season, and he'll be absolutely motivated to avenge that World Championship defeat in front of what will inevitably be a partisan Shanghai crowd.
This quarter-final has all the ingredients of a classic. Two players who know each other's game intimately, a crowd that will be passionately behind Yize, and real bragging rights at stake. Yize holds the psychological edge — he's the reigning champion, he's younger, and he was the better player at the Crucible — but Murphy's experience across multiple decades on tour should never be underestimated. A 6-5 deciding-frame win shows he can grind, and grinding might just be what's required against a world champion who admitted he's short on match practice.
Elsewhere in the Draw: Big Names Set Up Blockbuster Last Eight
The quarter-finals are shaping up to be a genuinely elite affair. Zhao Xintong, the 2025 world champion, produced his own century-laden performance — breaks of 112, 100 and 101 — in a comfortable 6-2 victory over Ding Junhui. The Chinese star now faces Neil Robertson, and that's a tie full of quality on both sides. Zhao has looked formidable since his own Crucible triumph, while Robertson's consistency at the highest level makes him a constant threat at any ranking event.
John Higgins, meanwhile, reminded everyone he still belongs at the very top table. The four-time world champion edged out Jack Lisowski 6-5 in what must have been a nervy finish — Lisowski knocked in a 123 and 109 to level at 5-5, only for Higgins to take the black-ball final frame with the composure of a man who's been here a thousand times before. Higgins now meets Judd Trump in the last eight, which on paper is the pick of the quarter-finals for pure snooker quality. That's a match worth clearing your schedule for.
The Betting Angle: Where's the Value?
With the quarter-finals now set, the Shanghai Masters is producing exactly the kind of draw that keeps punters engaged. Wu Yize to beat Murphy looks the most compelling single-match bet at this stage — the world champion is in fine scoring form, plays before a home crowd, and carries the mental advantage of their recent Crucible encounter. However, Murphy at a generous price represents genuine each-way interest given his 6-5 win shows he's capable of going deep under pressure.
For outright tournament winner, Yize will likely be a short-priced favourite, but Zhao Xintong could offer better value if you fancy him to go all the way — he's a world champion in his own right, he's scoring freely, and a Robertson quarter-final, whilst tough, is very winnable. Compare prices across Bet365, William Hill and Betway before committing, as Shanghai Masters markets can shift quickly once the last-eight pairings are confirmed.
Please gamble responsibly. Visit BeGambleAware.org or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 if gambling is affecting you or someone you know. Only bet what you can afford to lose.
