SHAUN Murphy missed out on a £20,000 bonus but was still smiling after reaching the semi-finals of the Welsh Open with a 5-2 victory over Mark Williams at Newport.

The world champion looked set to complete his win with a 147 but was unlucky to snooker himself on the yellow.

Murphy's break stalled at 120 but the 23-year-old Rotherham potter was just happy to reach his first semi-final since capturing the world title at the Crucible last May.

"I'll kick myself because chances for a maximum don't come much better than that but I'm still delighted to have got through," said Murphy.

"Mark's one of the best players the game's ever seen so to beat him is very pleasing."

Murphy has only appeared in two previous ranking tournament semi-finals and had not been beyond the last 16 this season before the Newport event but is adamant any suggestions that he was underachieving have been unfair.

"It's been difficult this season with people writing that I haven't lived up to expectations," he said.

"Actually, I've lived up to all my expectations and those that others have put on me really don't count for much.

"I've done what I wanted to do. Five years ago I set myself a target of getting into the top 16. At the end of this season I'll have achieved that.

"I'm also happy to get some good results under my belt and gain some experience. I'm playing the best players in the world and doing well."

Welshman Williams was guilty of a number of errors as he handed Murphy numerous chances.

Murphy produced a 65 clearance to win the opening frame and easily added the second to lead 2-0 before Williams clinched the third on the colours.

Breaks of 66 and 44 helped Murphy extend his advantage to 4-1 and though Williams shaded the sixth, the former world number one failed to pot a ball in the last.

"I can't grumble because I didn't play well enough to win the match and in my view I've lost to the person who is going to win the title," said Williams. "I played to a similar standard in my previous two matches but you can't get away with it all the time."

Barry Hawkins, the world number 30 from Sydenham, reached the semi-finals for the second successive year after beating Thailand's James Wattana 5-3.

Hawkins, beaten 6-4 in the semi-finals by Ronnie O'Sullivan last year, led 4-1 but needed numerous chances before stumbling over the line.

"I can't believe I won," he said. "It must be my worst performance as a professional. Neither of us seemed to get up for the match but lady luck seems to be with me at the moment."