2024 Shanghai Masters snooker day 3 report: World champion and number one both exit event


Zhou Yuelong recorded one of his most memorable wins as he whitewashed Wilson, 6-0.
The 26-year-old made three consecutive century breaks in his first round success over Barry Hawkins, and although he didn't quite reach those numbers this time, the three-time ranking event finalist did notch up runs of 78, 59 and 83 in a striking result.
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Zhou's opponent in the last eight will be Shaun Murphy who saw off John Higgins, 6-3, in the evening session’s other contest.
World number seven Murphy hit a 62 as he took the opening frame but efforts of 60 and 79 for 2012 champion Higgins helped him move 2-1 up.
However, Murphy compiled runs of 55, 56, 93 and 83 as he went on a four-frame winning streak, and although Higgins secured frame eight (52 break) from behind, Murphy produced a 64 on his way to victory in the next.
There was some unexpected late-night drama at the Shanghai Indoor Stadium as Pang Junxu edged out Allen 6-5 on the final blue in a marathon match that went into an unscheduled second session.
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The contest began several hours earlier in the afternoon session, as WST Classic finalist Pang went 3-0 up. Pang was on course to go 4-0 but lost position on a break of 56 in frame four. Later in the frame, Allen cleared with a 61 to pinch it on the final black and open his account before the mid-session interval.
Allen - making his first appearance of the season - then claimed frames five and six (120 break) to level at 3-3, however, Pang twice went back in front at 4-3 and 5-4 (63 break, frame nine) before the players had to make way for the evening session.
On resumption a few hours later, Allen struck his second ton of the tie with a 101 to force an 11th and final frame.
A scrappy, protracted decider ensued as both players failed to fully convert opportunities. With just one red remaining, Pang was within a pot of leaving Allen needing penalty points, although a poor safety on that red left the door open for his opponent.
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Allen needed a clearance, but didn't obtain ideal position on the final blue that was near a side cushion. A fiddly cut-back into the black pocket, Allen missed it and left the blue virtually over the hole. Pang potted it which instigated a handshake.
Pang sets up a date with Mark Selby on Thursday - the player who defeated him in that WST Classic final last year - as Selby got his 2024/25 season underway with a 6-1 victory over amateur wildcard Cao Jin.
Cao - who stunned Jak Jones on Tuesday - claimed the opening frame, but Selby won the next six to book his passage through. The 2011 Shanghai Masters champion made breaks of 115, 76 and 65.
Wednesday’s 2024 Shanghai Masters Results:
(61, 120, 101) Mark Allen 5-6 Pang Junxu (56, 80, 63)
(115, 76, 65) Mark Selby 6-1 Cao Jin
(62, 55, 56, 93, 83, 64) Shaun Murphy 6-3 John Higgins (60, 79, 52)
Kyren Wilson 0-6 Zhou Yuelong (78, 59, 83)
- Breaks of 50 and above are in brackets
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