Murphy vs Yize Prediction 30 July 2026

Murphy opened the tournament with a hard-fought 6-5 victory over Zhou Yuelong. It was a tense affair, with momentum swinging back and forth, and at times it seemed the match was slipping away from Shaun. But once again, Murphy underlined why he’s regarded as one of the most dangerous players in deciding frames. In the closing stages, the Englishman produced near-flawless snooker to secure his quarter-final spot.

Break-building wasn’t at its best for either player, as both struggled to find rhythm. The clash with Zhou turned into a scrappy battle dominated by tactical exchanges. That’s significant: maintaining a competitive edge is crucial, especially when facing a familiar opponent. In the last 16, Murphy managed just five half-century breaks.

Yize enjoyed a far more composed start to his tournament campaign. He cruised past Si Jiahui with a commanding 6-2 victory, capping off the match in spectacular style. The Chinese star rattled off the final three frames with consecutive century breaks-posting scores of 108, 140, and 140. It’s hard to imagine a more perfect way to kick off the season.

Since the World Championship, Yize has looked like a much more mature player. His trademark speed remains, but he’s added a new level of composure to his game. These days, he’s much less prone to taking unnecessary risks and shows a sharper sense of when to attack and when it’s wiser to wait for his opponent to make a mistake.