Ronnie O'Sullivan takes control against Shaun Murphy
SHAUN MURPHY walked out for his quarter-final against Ronnie O'Sullivan to the Superman theme - but must be worried the Rocket has a cue full of Kryptonite.
The Rocket shrugged off the loss of early frames to claim six on the spin for a 6-2 lead in their World Championship clash at the Crucible.
O'Sullivan, 38, is bidding for a hat-trick of world titles - and a sixth overall that would draw him level with the tally of Steve Davis.
But Murphy, 31, who has never beaten O'Sullivan in a ranking event, collapsed in the first session of the much-anticipated contest.
The Magician found himself under O'Sullivan's spell after racing out of the traps with breaks of 101 and 59 - and leaving his opponent needing a snooker in frame three.
People getting on my case is harsh
But O'Sullivan got it and having been let off the hook played himself back into form - rattling in breaks of 72, 54, 94 and a magnificent closing 136.
Meanwhile 2011 finalist Judd Trump, seeking a first world title, has blasted the critics who wrote him off earlier this season.
The Juddernaut became world No1 18 months ago - but is recovering after a slump in form.
However the 24-year-old world No8 leads world No1 Neil Robertson 6-2 in their quarter-final.
He said: "It would be nice to win the world title sooner rather than later but I am only 24 and I don't think Ronnie won it until he was 25 for the first time.
"He is the best player there has ever been by a country mile and look at him, he couldn't win it until he was 25. So people getting on my case is harsh."