Shaun Murphy will be forced into an awkward reunion at the World Snooker Championship, after being drawn against a player he previously said “shouldn’t even be in the building”.
Murphy has been pitted against debutant Si Jiahui in the first round at the Crucible as he bids to continue his fine recent form. The world number four, the 2005 World Championship winner, will play the 20-year-old Chinese player in Sheffield after the draw took place on Thursday.
Si, the world No80, will be playing at the famous Crucible Theatre for the first time after earning a two-year tour card, but he has already faced Murphy on a big stage. The pair met at the UK Championship in November 2021 when Si produced an upset to win 6-5 while he was still an amateur.
