Shaun Murphy set a new snooker scoring record as world number one Judd Trump lost 6-3 to Thailand’s Noppon Saengkham on day two of the China Open.
Murphy beat fellow Englishman Matthew Selt 6-0, recording 607 unanswered points before Selt potted a ball. The total surpassed the previous record of 556, set by Ronnie O’Sullivan during his 6-0 win over Ricky Walden at the 2014 Masters.
The former world champion made breaks of 18, 61, 132, 103, 139, 113 and 41. He also equalled the record for four consecutive centuries, a feat he has achieved twice.
Murphy had been on course for a maximum 147 in frame five before missing the 15th black on 113.
“I can’t believe it, I’m over the moon,” Murphy told the World Snooker Tour website. “To be part of snooker history in this way is a great thrill.”
Trump, who has topped the world rankings since August 2024, could lose the number one spot before the end of the month after his defeat to Saengkham, ranked 45th in the world.
Trump recovered from 2-0 down to level at 2-2 with breaks of 85 and 91, but Saengkham won three consecutive frames, including a match-high break of 120, on his way to victory.
Saengkham will face seven-time world champion O’Sullivan in round two. O’Sullivan recovered from losing the opening two frames against Wales’ Jackson Page to win 6-2, making a century break and four further breaks above 60.
The China Open is the first main ranking tournament of the 2026-27 season and has returned to the World Snooker Tour calendar for the first time since 2019. The tournament is being held in Taiyuan, with the winner set to receive £250,000.
Other seeded first-round exits included Barry Hawkins, Mark Williams and Ding Junhui.
