|
 |
| Wales's Shaun Murphy ponders while competing against England's Michael Holt during the 2006 World Snooker China Open held at Beijing University Students’ Gymnasium in Beijing, capital of China, March 22, 2006. Murphy lost the game 2-5, and was washed out.(Xinhua photo) | Newly-crowned world champion Shaun Murphy fell at the first hurdle of the World Snooker China Open following the 5-2 loss to Michael Holt on Wednesday.
Murphy, who won the World Championship 11 months ago, came out strong by winning the first frame, but was a shadow of his former self, trailing 1-4 after the fifth frame.
"You have got to adapt to changes, in time zone, culture, diet,a lot, but I did not," said Murphy after the match.
"I played the match feeling totally drained. I was so tired that at one stage all I wanted to do was to leave,"he added.
Murphy tried to come back to win the sixth frame with a 124 break, only to see his opponent seal the victory in the decider with a break of 52.
Earlier, Scotland's Graeme Dott, the 14th seed, eased past local wild card Yu Delu 5-1 to reach the top 16.
Dot will face title holder Ding Junhui of China in the next round.
Editor: Donald
|
