Shaun Murphy and Anthony McGill Deadlocked at 4–4 After British Open Final’s Opening Session
The 2025 British Open final began with a session that had everything: heavy scoring, unexpected errors, momentum swings, and two players locked in a battle neither was prepared to concede. After eight gripping frames, Shaun Murphy and Anthony McGill are tied at 4–4, setting the stage for a fascinating conclusion later tonight.
A Session of Contradictions
From the outset, this was not the clean, clinical final many expected. Both players produced moments of brilliance, but those highs were often punctuated by puzzling lapses. It was a session that veered between the sublime and the scrappy — yet that very unpredictability is what made it so compelling.
Murphy, the 2005 world champion, looked oddly out of rhythm in the early exchanges. He missed routine pots, lost position from seemingly simple shots, and at times cut a frustrated figure. And yet, despite the patchiness, his scoring power remained undeniable. His breaks of 101, 132, 78, and 112 reminded everyone why he has long been regarded as one of the game’s most fluent break-builders.
McGill, by contrast, was steady, methodical, and clinical when chances came. With runs of 68, 78, and 109, the Scot showed his trademark composure under pressure, punishing Murphy’s mistakes with quiet efficiency. Where Murphy relied on bursts of brilliance to stay afloat, McGill ground his way forward with the determination of a player who knows how to thrive in scrappy frames.
Momentum Swings
The session began with McGill taking control, capitalising on Murphy’s errors to edge ahead 3–1. At that stage, he looked the more settled of the two, his rhythm unbroken and his shot selection sharp. Murphy, meanwhile, was battling both his cue ball and himself, his body language betraying frustration at the waywardness of his game.
But champions rarely go quietly. From 4–2 down, Murphy suddenly rediscovered his touch. With a break of 78, he narrowed the gap, and in the very next frame he produced a glorious 112 clearance — perhaps his best frame of the session. Just like that, the momentum had swung, and instead of trailing, Murphy walked into the mid-session interval with the score level at 4–4.
It was a reminder of the fine margins in snooker: a single missed red can be the difference between control and calamity, and Murphy, for all his inconsistency, proved he only needs one good chance to level a match.
McGill’s Composure Tested
For McGill, the session was both encouraging and frustrating. On the one hand, he matched Murphy blow for blow, played with strong tactical discipline, and showed resilience against one of the sport’s most dangerous scorers. On the other, the way he let slip a 4–2 lead will sting, particularly given how close he was to imposing real scoreboard pressure.
Still, McGill’s composure stood out. His 109 in the fourth frame was a thing of beauty, a reminder that he is more than just a grinder. And his ability to slow the pace, frustrate his opponent, and force errors remains one of his greatest strengths. Against Murphy’s flamboyant attacking instincts, McGill’s measured approach was the perfect counterbalance.
What the Session Tells Us
So what did this opening session reveal? In truth, it showed that both players are vulnerable but also dangerous. Murphy’s scoring remains a weapon of destruction, but his inconsistency means McGill will always have opportunities. McGill, meanwhile, has the steadiness and tactical nous to keep the contest close, but he may lack the explosive firepower to pull away unless Murphy falters badly.
It was, in short, a session that reinforced the sense of a finely poised final. Neither man seized full control, and both left the table knowing improvements are needed if they are to lift the trophy.
The Road Ahead
Heading into the evening session, the match feels delicately balanced. Murphy has momentum, having erased the deficit with back-to-back centuries. McGill, however, knows he has already rattled his opponent and that his own game plan is solid.
Much will depend on who settles first after the interval. If Murphy can cut out the early errors and reproduce the fluency of his best frames, he could run away with it. If McGill can maintain discipline and exploit Murphy’s lapses, he has every chance of grinding out a famous victory.
Fans can expect more twists and turns — and perhaps another flurry of centuries — before the evening is out.
Final Thoughts
At 4–4, this British Open final has the makings of a classic. Murphy’s brilliance and McGill’s tenacity have created a fascinating clash of styles, and the sense of tension is palpable. While the session was, at times, strange and uneven, it left one undeniable truth: both players are locked in a battle of wills, and neither is prepared to blink.
The final is perfectly poised. The only certainty is that the next session will demand the very best from both men — and for the fans, that’s exactly what makes it so compelling.
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