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Ray's top of the pots for Murphy
SHAUN Murphy has revealed that a special bond with six-time world champion Ray Reardon could be the secret to a memorable Crucible success this season.
The 2005 world winner has struck up a firm relationship with Welshman Reardon, a former coal miner and policeman, but the second-ever Crucible champion.
"I started out as a fan, so just listening to his stories is great," said Murphy. "We have a game of snooker and he gets you to think about your game a bit more.
"For Ray to ring and say how well I'm playing is a real compliment. He always makes himself available and I've seen him four or five times. He's a great guy, really accommodating."
Murphy locks horns with Stoke golden oldie Dave Harold on Tuesday night - and he believes Reardon's help has been priceless ahead of snooker's top tournament.
"We have a game of golf and a good time. He's a role model, the grandparent I didn't have," added Murphy. "He's unbelievable, still knocking in 70s and 80s and he's 75-years-old.
"A couple of times I've said, "What would you do here?" when I've left long pots and he's said, "Well, in my heyday that would have been your last shot". So I say, "Oh right, that good were you?"
"Ray says, "Yeah, I''ll do it now for you if you want". He got down, popped it in and cleared up, laughing."
"You need help from people who've been there and done it. The guys in the snooker club were asking if I was good for a bet. I said, "All I can tell you is that when I won the championship I felt brilliant coming into it and I feel better than that this year".
"If I could join the elite group who have won the title twice, I'd be honoured. Plenty of good players never win one. To do that at 22 means I've got maybe 20 years to try to win it again."
Murphy and Harold, the 1993 Asian Open champion, will contest a maximum of nine frames tomorrow evening, with their best-of-19 frame clash to be concluded on Wednesday afternoon.
Victory would yield a second round showdown and 14,000 of guaranteed prize-money against Tiptree professional Ali Carter, a 10-9 winner over Dartford cueman Barry Hawkins yesterday.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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