Ten out of ten for Shaun Murphy as he cruises to the 2026 Champion of Champions semi-finals

Winner of this Champion of Champions title in 2017, Murphy recorded back-to-back whitewash victories - winning ten frames out of ten - on Wednesday at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester.

Returning to the professional snooker tour after withdrawing from the recent International Championship held in China due to prioritising his well-being, the 44-year-old Englishman qualified for this year’s edition through his run to the World Championship final in the spring.

First up Murphy swept aside Ronnie O’Sullivan with a 4-0 win in the afternoon session; seven-times world champion O’Sullivan struggled, and his wait for another professional title continues.

Next was an intriguing all-Chinese clash between two of snooker’s hottest young properties in reigning world champion Wu Yize and current Wuhan Open champion Chang Bingyu who were both making their Champion of Champions debuts.

This season's top century break maker on snooker's top-flight, Chang added another to his tally, as he settled in nicely with a 109 in the opening frame. Wu responded, though, registering runs of 60 and 86 in a three-frame sequence to go 3-1 up.

However, it was Chang (58 break, frame six) who went through with a trio of consecutive frames of his own, although he did have to survive Wu missing a tricky final black along the top cushion in the sixth.

In the group final that evening, it was Murphy who deposited the opening frame with the aid of a 50 before leaving his opponent pointless in each of the next two, crafting the highest break of the tournament, so far - a 142 - as he went 3-0 in front.

'The Magician' then made it centuries in consecutive frames with a 107 as he headed to the mid-session interval 4-0 up.

On resumption, Murphy's momentum continued, with efforts of 78 and 70 helping him wrap up a 6-0 success, meaning he didn't relinquish a frame all day.

His second result was a measure of green baize revenge for Murphy over Chang; at the Welsh Open earlier this year, Chang produced one of the greatest televised snooker performances, ever, compiling four century breaks in a 4-0 win over Murphy who gave him a standing ovation at the end of the tie.

Through to the semi-finals of the Champion of Champions for the first time since 2018, Murphy is set to play again on Saturday night against the winner of Thursday’s group that consists of these initial matches in the afternoon: Zhao Xintong v Thepchaiya Un-Nooh and Kyren Wilson v Ali Carter.

Wilson travels to the event as the most in-form player in the world following back-to-back ranking title triumphs at the Northern Ireland Open and International Championship. ‘The Warrior’ is currently on a 12-match winning streak.

To view the full draw, results, schedule, and other information from the 2026 Champion of Champions, visit our tournament information centre here.