Shaun Murphy tells Kyren Wilson 'say it to my face' as 'proper bloke' jibe escalates feud

Fuming Shaun Murphy intends to confront after being branded unprofessional by the world champion. Ahead of the which begins on Saturday, Wilson had during the Masters final between the pair in January.

were quizzing the Warrior about his post-match interview in which he called victor Murphy an "old man" and said he "needed to win more than me". Explaining Wilson, who didn't divulge exactly what Murphy did to offend him, said: "Shaun knows full well what happened before the evening session of the Masters final. I don't want to bad mouth anyone, but what he did before the evening session was uncalled for and quite unprofessional." Murphy responded to Wilson's latest criticism of him in his on Friday night, insisting he had no idea what his rival was talking about. Explaining what he did between sessions during the Masters final, the Magician said he had merely topped up his car's windscreen washer fluid and gone for a drink at a Starbucks near Alexandra Palace.

He branded Wilson's comments out of order and said he intends to address the matter with him in person. Murphy said: "Sat here recording this with you now, I've got absolutely no idea what Kyren Wilson is talking about. No idea at all.

"I genuinely have no idea. We regrouped in the dressing room following the first session. We got changed, we went off into the car park. I ended up filling my car with washer fluid, that's how rock n' roll we are!

"Then we jumped in the car and went and found a car wash. Then we went to Starbucks, came back to the venue, got ready, and went to play the match.

"I've got no idea what Kyren is talking about. I've obviously been asked about it all day today. We've had the media day here in Sheffield. It's the first thing that the journalists were asking."

Murphy couldn't hide his anger at Wilson's comments, urging him to be a "proper bloke" and say it to his face next time. He added: "I must admit, I'm extremely disappointed in the behaviour of Kyren Wilson. I think he has had a really good year as world champion - on and off the table. But I'm extremely disappointed in him as a bloke.

"If he's got something he wanted to say to me since January, and he's left it until this week to say it... And then not only hasn't come out and said it, he's kind of said half a story, or not even half a story.

"He hasn't had the bottle to call me out over whatever it is, and he has left everybody guessing. He had the nerve to call me unprofessional and call my reputation into question. How dare he do that, and then not even be man enough to then tell everyone what he's talking about?

"I'm very disappointed in his behaviour. When I see him face-to-face, I'll be telling him, because that's not how I operate. That's not how real people operate. I'm very, very disappointed in his behaviour."

Murphy is likely to commentate on Wilson, who begins the defence of his title on Saturday morning, in his role with the BBC at some point during the tournament. Meanwhile, he himself starts his campaign on Tuesday.