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Yan Bingtao ends China interest in 2021 World Snooker Championship, misses Stephen Hendry record

  • Masters winner unable to overcome Shaun Murphy, ending Chinese interest in the 2021 world championships
  • Yan misses last chance to become youngest world champion and beat Stephen Hendry’s record

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China’s Yan Bingtao reacts after losing to England’s Shaun Murphy at the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield. Photo: Xinhua

China’s last remaining player at the World Snooker Championships, Yan Bingtao, lost 13-7 to Shaun Murphy, ending Chinese interest in the tournament in the second round.

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Masters champion Yan was unable to overcome veteran Murphy in their final session, which he entered 10-6 down.

The 21-year-old also missed his last chance to beat Stephen Hendry’s record as the youngest world champion. Hendry won aged 21 in 1990.

Their first session had ended with 38-year-old Murphy 6-2 ahead and world No 10 Yan never got back into the match.

Yan won only one more frame in the final session with Murphy running out the 13-7 winner.

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He advances to the quarter-finals to meet world No 1 Judd Trump, his first appearance in the last-eight at the Crucible since 2015.

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