John Higgins and Shaun Murphy shared the spoils in the opening session of their World Snooker Championship semi-final at the Crucible, with the pair currently locked together at 4-4.
In truth, the opening eight frames were something of a comedown from the high of the quarter-finals, with neither player at their best in a scrappy start to a match that still promises great things over the next two days.
Murphy started the brighter, to be expected given Higgins' late-night exploits against Neil Robertson on Wednesday, and breaks of 68, 69 and 100 saw the former establish a 3-1 lead.
However, true to form, Higgins battled his way back into the session by winning a protracted fifth frame and then the next on the final blue.
Murphy again edged ahead, but Higgins produced his highest break of the afternoon, a well-timed run of 50, to level up at 4-4.
The match will resume at 10am on Friday morning.
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