World champion Shaun Murphy bowed out of the SAGA Insurance Masters today after a 6-4 defeat at the hands of Grand Prix champion John Higgins.
Murphy led 2-1, but Higgins won three frames on the trot and then held his nerve to clinch a 6-4 victory at the Wembley Conference Centre.
The world number six will now play either fellow Scot Alan McManus or former world champion Mark Williams in the second of this year's semi-finals on Saturday.
Murphy is always confident when he finds himself trailing in a match – but this time he never got the momentum going.
"I think I have something in-built in me and I'm good at fighting back when I'm behind," said Murphy.
It's just a shame I didn't find that at the start of the match."
Referring to misses on a red and then a blue, which could have seen him lead 4-3 or then level at 5-5, Murphy added: "I didn't really know what to do.
"I didn't have much choice other than to take the shot on. I missed - and, of course, John went 4-2 ahead.
"It was nice to produce when I was behind - but I didn't do enough."
Murphy did battle back to 5-4, before Higgins pocketed a splendid 74 to secure victory.
Higgins, delighted with his victory, said: "Without being disrespectful, I was more focused for this match than I was for my match with Jimmy White in the last round.
"I played a better standard, and it's good to be able to find this form at such an important stage of the season.
"It could have been a curtain-closer if Shaun had taken his chances and got a full head of steam, but I grew in confidence as the match went on."
