Shaun Murphy has revealed that he was struggling to breathe due to nerves while attempting a 147 during his Masters victory over Neil Robertson.

The 42-year-old wasted a brilliant chance to light up the tournament with a maximum break on his way to a 6-2 win. He was on course in the final frame but snookered himself on the blue after potting 15 reds and 15 blacks.

Speaking after the match, Murphy suggested that nerves were to blame as he admitted he was so anxious that he found it hard to breathe properly.

"What an idiot! I'd love to play that one again," he said. "Anywhere but there! I did it before in the Welsh Open against Mark Williams. It was the exact same shot. You'd think I would have learned.

"I couldn't breathe, I was just so nervous. One of my targets for the season was to make a max at a Triple Crown event.

"It would have been a great present because it's my mum's birthday today. That was somewhere near my best so I'm really pleased."

Robertson, meanwhile, added: "It's such a bad shot, because even if he leaves himself a shot with the rest on the yellow, he's so good with the rest that you'd fancy him potting it. I couldn't believe it.

"It was a real shame for everyone watching, it would have been really nice to see the 147 here as well. So, gutted for Shaun from that point of view, but I'm sure he'll be happy with the match."

Reigning world champion Kyren Wilson was in the studio and was not impressed with Murphy's errant shot on the blue, branding him a 'wally' for wasting his opportunity.

"What a wally, fancy snookering yourself on the blue," said Wilson. "But what an effort, it was a fantastic performance. Neil will be walking away thinking he didn't do much wrong.

"Shaun's all-round match play was fantastic, his break building was great. Getting the 147 would have been the icing on the cake."

Murphy did manage to reel off breaks of 120, 90, 82, 67 and 66 as he breezed past Robertson to book his place in the semi-finals. The man from Harlow, who won the Masters a decade ago, will face either Mark Selby or Mark Allen in his next match.