Shaun Murphy will head into the World Championship at the summit of the provisional world rankings despite losing to Stephen Maguire in the final of the China Open.

Rotherham's Murphy lost 10-9 to Maguire in a thrilling match in Beijing, denying him a first ranking title of the season.

However Murphy, 25, who has reached at least the semi-finals of the last five ranking tournaments, remains ahead of first-round loser Ronnie O'Sullivan - albeit with a slender lead of just 100 points as the players prepare for the Crucible.

"I'm very pleased to be on top at the moment, but it doesn't mean anything unless I can stay there until the end of the season," said Murphy.

Glasgow's Maguire, who won the fourth ranking title of his career and second of the season in China, remains third.

He is now within striking distance of the top two in what appears to be a three-horse race for next season's official world number one slot.

Mark Selby reached the last four in Beijing and stays fourth, while Ryan Day also made the semis and jumps three places to seventh.

Quarter-finalist Mark Allen improved his chances of an official top 16 berth by moving up three spots to 16th.

Nigel Bond and Mark Williams reached the same stage and they both also go up three places to 24th and 26th respectively.

Barry Pinches enjoyed his best run in recent years by reaching the last 16 and is rewarded with a jump of seven spots to 57th.

Eurosport