Reigning Masters champion Shaun Murphy was eradicated on day one of many 2026 occasion, shedding 6-2 to China’s Wu Yize within the first spherical.

Murphy, who beat Kyren Wilson to win the Triple Crown occasion for a second time a yr in the past, misplaced the opening three frames and, regardless of taking body 4, then misplaced the fifth on a black-ball end.

Wu, 22, is ranked thirteenth on the earth and picked up his first rating title in November when he gained the Worldwide Championship in Yanjing in his residence nation, beating world champions Judd Trump, Zhao Xintong and John Higgins alongside the way in which.

On his Alexandra Palace debut, Wu made an excellent clearance of 137 in body two and a break of 56 in body seven.

He’ll play both present UK champion Mark Selby or China’s Xiao Guodong within the quarter-finals on Thursday.

“I felt a little bit of stress after I entered the stadium as a result of it was the primary time I’ve performed in such a giant stadium and the followers had been so enthusiastic,” stated Wu.

“After the primary body, I felt a bit extra relaxed and I completely loved the environment. It is undoubtedly a fantastic achievement for myself – my first time taking part in on the Masters and the primary time beating Shaun Murphy.”

For 43-year-old Murphy, who reached the semi-final of the UK Championship final month, it was a disappointing afternoon with him failing to register a single break of fifty.

“I have been wanting ahead to at this time for a yr, strolling out as champion, however I loved the primary 10 minutes,” stated Murphy. “I did not play nicely, definitely the worst efficiency of my season, perhaps the worst within the Masters.

“I am very disillusioned. None of it was there. I felt all the things I touched was not there. I have been working very laborious, practising laborious, taking part in lots of snooker, so I did not anticipate to play like that and I am as shocked as anybody.

“Wu appeared calm, checked out ease and totally deserved his win. He will likely be a handful for anybody he performs.”