Shaun Murphy admitted he thought the days of competing for snooker's top prizes were long gone as he spoke in the immediate aftermath of his brilliant win at the Masters. The Magician beat Kyren Wilson 10-7 in the final at Alexandra Palace on Sunday.

Murphy had been in fine form throughout the week, and got off to the perfect start against the world champion, threatening to run away with proceedings in the final as he took a 6-2 lead heading into the evening session.

Wilson made a match of it though, and battled his way back from an 8-4 deficit to trail 8-7 at one stage, with the alarm bells ringing for Murphy. But the 42-year-old managed to keep his cool to take the next two frames, wrapping his triumph up in style in the final frame to take home the £350k jackpot.

The victory signalled Murphy's second ever Masters triumph, and his first win in a Triple Crown event since winning the tournament back in 2015.

And following his win over Wilson, Murphy admitted that before this tournament he had doubts over his future at the top of the game. He told the BBC: "I can't believe it, I am in shock. If I'm totally honest I thought these days were gone when I lost to Mark Selby in the 2021 final at the Crucible.

"I thought these days at the business end of events were gone. Peter Ebdon has helped me rediscover that self belief. He has helped remind me that I am actually quiote good at this... there is still a bit of life in the old dog yet."

Murphy then went on to pay special credit to beaten finalist Wilson, who showed exactly why he won at the Crucible back in May last year as he put up a spirited fightback.

The veteran added: "I must pay tribute to Kyren. I know how he feels to lose in this match. He conducts himself so brilliantly, so professionally, he is a great world champion.

"I wasn't surprised when he made a run midway though this match, that's what world champions do. There was a stage a few frames ago where it was panic stations."

In truth, Murphy had got the job done early doors in the final thanks to his blistering start before Wilson recorded breaks of 95, 78 and 65 to reduce the deficit to 8-7, only for The Magician to get over the line.

But Wilson didn't appear to be too disheartened following defeat in the final, telling BBC straight after his loss: "I am 33 years old, coming into my prime and I am having an amazing season. Runner-up obviously isn't what I wanted, but I've got Berlin next week, so I'll go and smash it in Germany.

"I am a lucky lad, win or lose. Listen I lost, i am gutted, but I tell you what, I am going to consume so many jagerbombs tonight and have the best night ever."