Shaun Murphy expressed his frustration with the way Matchroom had organized the Champion of Champions event on Monday. Murphy, who had recently competed in the quarter-finals of China’s International Championship, was disappointed to be thrown into the opening match of the tournament, where he suffered a 4-1 defeat to Lei Peifan. The 43-year-old was only informed of his Monday fixture while returning from Nanjing, learning about the tournament’s schedule on the morning of the event.
After his loss, Murphy criticized Matchroom for the group arrangements, stating, “I think the way I’ve been treated by Matchroom in this tournament is nothing short of despicable.” He expressed his displeasure at discovering his playing schedule halfway through his journey back from China, while other players not involved in the International Championship were given more time to prepare for their matches in the Champion of Champions.
Matchroom responded to Murphy’s complaints by acknowledging his frustrations and emphasizing their commitment to prioritizing player satisfaction. They explained that groupings were based on seeding for transparency and fairness, and acknowledged the challenges of scheduling events. Matchroom assured that they would consider Murphy’s feedback to improve future tournament arrangements.
In other matches on the opening day of the Champion of Champions, World No. 1 Judd Trump secured a 4-1 victory over Bai Yulu, advancing to face Lei Peifan later in the evening. The tournament continues with upcoming matches featuring top players like Kyren Wilson, Jack Lisowski, Mark Allen, Mark Williams, Mark Selby, Stephen Maguire, Neil Robertson, Tom Ford, John Higgins, Xiao Xintong, and Xiao Guodong.
