Snooker star Shaun Murphy has defended fellow world champion Kyren Wilson amid a debate around celebrations following a victory over Stan Moody. Wilson, who won the World Snooker Championship in 2024, suffered a scare in his opening round game in this year's competition. Teenage star Moody opened up an early lead, only for the more experienced player to battle back for a 10-7 win. Some fans criticised Wilson for celebrating before shaking his opponent's hand but Murphy, whose own world title came in 2005, suggested there was nothing to it.

"Do you know, I think when you're overcome with emotion, even if you don't shake [hands], it's not meant in malice. There's no malice behind it," Murphy said after his first-round win over Fan Zhangyi. "I've known Kyren since he was a boy, there would be no malice meant behind it. He's just won a match from 6-2 behind in the first round. He's entitled to celebrate. I don't think he will have meant anything by it."

Wilson's behaviour brought criticism from a number of snooker fans on social media. "I understand it was a tough win with a lot of nerves, but to celebrate like that against a teenager... Really?" one wrote.

"Why celebrate like that on the first round! Awful sportsmanship against a good player in Moody!" wrote another.

EXPRESS SPORT ON FB!Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page

However, some came to Wilson's defence, with one saying: "People complain that snooker players now are robots and show no emotion, but when a player shows any kind of emotion they are immediately labelled as the worst person in the world... What is it that people want? Genuinely confused."

Wilson, for his part, praised Moody in his post-match interview and described the youngster as a credit to his generation. "My kids know his name - he is inspiring them and they are going to the same junior tournaments he was playing in," he said.

The opening round of this year's worlds has seen 15 of the 16 seeds secure victories. The only exception came in the match between Si Jiahui and Hossein Vafaei, where Iranian qualifier Vafaei stunned his Chinese opponent with a 10-3 victory.

Before the tournament, Vafaei spoke of the emotional toll of the ongoing political situation in his home country. "It's been very hard, very, very hard," the 31-year-old said.

"My family are safe. I'm fighting as well for my country, for my family and I'm trying my best and will give it my all."

Addressing how the news back home has impacted his game, Vafaei added: ""You get a bad text in the day and you can't focus on your job. How can I focus?" said Vafaei.

"No-one knows how tough it is but hopefully it will be over soon, then the safety comes back to my country."