Northern Ireland Open 2024: Shaun Murphy lends Noppon Saengkham his only cue in classy gesture ahead of first-round win
By Leon Imber
Updated 23/10/2024 at 00:38 GMT+1
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Noppon Saengkham's 4-3 victory over compatriot Thepchaiya Un-Nooh was made all the more impressive when he revealed after the match he was using Shaun Murphy's cue. Saengkham, who according to WST arrived in Belfast on Monday, showed up empty-handed with his cue lost in transit, but Murphy saved the day to sacrifice his own practice and assist Saengkham in his opening-round victory.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
Noppon Saengkham said he only had 10 minutes' worth of practice ahead of his Northern Ireland Open first-round victory over Thepchaiya Un-Nooh after Shaun Murphy came to his rescue late on to lend his only cue.
Saengkham, who reportedly arrived in Belfast on Monday, turned up to the tournament cue-less, and went on a desperate search for a helping hand.
World Snooker Tour said the Thai player's cue got lost in transit from Manchester to Belfast.
The world No. 28 said many players turned down his pleas in order to prioritise practice, but Murphy stepped in to lend his cue and sacrifice his own preparations for his tie with Zhou Yuelong later that evening.
"I have to really thank Shaun because I asked a few other players, but they couldn't lend me a cue because they were practising," said Saengkham.
"Then I saw Shaun and he gave me his cue this morning. It meant he couldn't practise today. I only had 10 minutes with his cue before my match.
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"So I just tried to enjoy the game because if I'm not happy then I can't play well. I tried to play simple shots, nothing too hard.
"I did very well, I potted some long balls and my break-building was good, especially the clearance in the last frame."
Murphy's generosity was perhaps motivated by empathy, after he himself suffered a scare with his cue and luggage going missing ahead of his Shanghai Masters campaign earlier this year.
Murphy responded to the incident on X, saying: "Ironically, I only brought one with me this week".
Saengkham's quick acclimatisation to Murphy's cue was particularly impressive given the Englishman's particular specs – he notoriously utilises a small cue tip.
Saengkham engaged in a tight battle with compatriot Un-Nooh on Tuesday, taking a 1-0 lead before being pegged back to 2-1 and then establishing a 3-2 lead, before his opponent set up a grand-stand finish at 3-3.
But the world No. 28 wrapped up the final frame with an emphatic 64 clearance from 53-4 down to set up a clash with Mark Williams in the last 32.
"I don't know if Shaun will let me use this cue in my next match," Saengkham joked. "I will have to ask him. If I end up playing him here, maybe we will have to share it."
Saengkham will be hoping his cue arrives in time for his clash with the Welshman, who made light work of Jamie Clarke with a whitewash victory on the adjacent table.
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