Vafaei Fights Through The Magician World Snooker Champion

A fire alarm at the MrQ UK Championship in York caused an hour-long delay in the evening session, which Iran’s Hossein

Vafaei used to defeat 2005 World Champion Shaun Murphy 6-4.

Except for the Shoot Out, it was the first time Vafaei and Murphy had faced each other on the World Snooker Tour. Given their

reputation for aggressive play, high-stakes snooker was anticipated.

When the two did take to the arena at 8 p.m., it was to a fragmented start due to the unanticipated delay in play.

Vafaei had to go through qualifying in order to get to the Barbican, but after defeating four-time World Champion Mark Selby in each of the

previous two years, he is accustomed to scoring big victories in York.

Vafaei won the low-scoring first quarter of this evening’s match with just 56 points, and they went up 2-0 after adding the second. Murphy

won the third frame, and the Magician went on to win the fourth on the black to tie the match at two points at the halfway point.

When play resumed, Vafaei asserted his dominance once more, leading 4-2 after breaks of 52 and 100. He was trailing 4–3, but world No. 18

Vafaei moved one point clear of the lead at 5–3 after a break of 78. While Murphy took the ninth to extend the match, Vafaei made a critical

break of 67 to cross the finish line and guarantee his spot in the last 16.

“To be honest with you, I will take that but I didn’t play really well,” stated Vafaei. For me, the fact that I have advanced to the next round and

am still in the competition is what matters most. The game proceeded a little slowly. I was able to triumph and score a hundred. I’m feeling pretty good.

“My body was tense because the incident occurred an hour prior to the game. The fire alarm caused everyone to relocate. We felt a little worn out

from it. Ultimately, I executed everything quite effectively.

I was told to leave my dressing room because there was a chance that the fire would spread to that area as well.

I ran outside after taking my cue. It was nice and warm in the pub after we were moved.

After 30 minutes, they returned and said everything was fixed, so we could go back.

Vafaei will next play Matthew Selt, ranked 29 in the world, who defeated Ali Carter, a fellow Essex cueman, 6-3.

As he won, Selt produced breaks of 111, 102, and 73. In the upcoming round, he will be aiming for a second trip to the quarterfinals of the UK

Championship, while his opponent Vafaei is hoping to make it to the final eight for the first time.