14 January 2023 , 13:16
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Stuart Bingham has clarified a gesture that caused some controversy following his crushing victory over Shaun Murphy at the Masters.
Bingham set up a semi-final clash with Judd Trump with a 6-0 success over Murphy at Alexandra Palace.
The 2020 champion was in blistering form during the match but raised eyebrows afterwards when he made a hand gesture with his thumb and two fingers. The same gesture has been compared to a gun in the past.
However, Bingham took to social media to clear up the incident and insisted there was no malice intended.
He indicated his son Shae was in the crowd and he usually gives him a 'thumbs up' - but Bingham Jnr has fractured two of his fingers, forcing the snooker star to make a change.
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Some fans also criticised Bingham over his post-match comments on Murphy, after he suggested: "He was lucky to get nil, how well I played."
But he insists he was not disrespecting his opponent in the video posted ahead of the semi-final clash with Trump.
Speaking to the camera, he said: "Semi-final day at the Masters and I am still here. Unbelievable. But if you go on Twitter, I am getting a lot of abuse for what I said in my interview after the match.
"I am being called cocky, arrogant and disrespectful. People who know me know that I am not like that. It was a joke.
"People have played like that against me in the past and in the interview, I have said 'I am lucky to get nil'. That is all it was."
Speaking after the match, Bingham insisted he was relishing the opportunity on the biggest stage as he bids to win this year's Masters.
He said: "This tournament brings the best out of me, it is definitely good coming back to a venue where you know you have done the business."
Bingham will take on Trump after he fought back to see off Barry Hawkins 6-5 in a thrilling quarter-final at Alexandra Palace. Mark Williams comes up against Jack Lisowski in the other semi-final match on Saturday.