SNOOKER: Shaun Murphy, attempting to become the only first-time world champion to defend the title, moved a step closer last evening by opening an 11-5 lead over Steve Davis in their second-round match, reports Clive Everton.
Murphy, who beat Davis 13-4 in the quarter-finals last year, did not produce a string of sizeable breaks but was strong tactically and requires only two more frames today. As if the heat of battle inside The Crucible were not enough, the theatre had to be evacuated when fire alarms sounded after what was believed to be a small fire in a kitchen.
An unscheduled half-hour interval ensued as fire officers inspected the building. The incident was put down to an overheated oven, which had set off the detectors.
Murphy was 8-3 ahead at this point and extended his lead to 10-3 before Davis avoided the embarrassment of defeat with a session to spare by winning the next. The six-times champion closed to 10-5 but Murphy secured the last of the session.
Guardian Service
ROWING: Niall O'Toole will not be a part of the National Trials beginning today at Inniscarra Lake in Cork, writes Liam Gorman. The Dubliner, a world champion in the lightweight singles scull in 1991, failed to make it through to yesterday's pre-trial.
OLYMPICS: London received top marks yesterday from Olympics inspectors checking up on preparations for the 2012 Games. The IOC said that, unlike the 2004 Athens Olympics, London had made an "encouraging" early start and probably would not need as much guidance.
LONDON MARATHON: Although Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie is favourite to win tomorrow's race he faces some tough opposition. World record holder Paul Tergat may have withdrawn with a calf injury, but the three other Kenyans in the race will prove equally dangerous. Martin Lel and Felix Limo are both very strong and are expected to be close to Gebrselassie at the finish. The 2004 champion Evans Rutto could also cause an upset.
