Shaun Murphy was left stunned after being asked whether he deliberately lost his opening match at the Welsh Open in Newport on Tuesday.

The Englishman was beaten 4-3 by Indian Pankaj Advani, the current world billiards champion who is playing on the main snooker tour for the first time this season.

Murphy received a Twitter message from a user, saying: “Rumours going round you match fixed tonights game Shaun??? Any truth??”

Englishman Murphy was taken aback by the suggestion and replied: “Absolutely not-ouch.”

He later added: “Worst day of my career today, being accused of losing on purpose.”

Murphy, 30, was swiftly backed by fellow players, with Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen writing on the social network: “Don’t be silly mate. We all know its a pile if c**p!!! Never a more untrue word spoke. Chin up.”

Ali Carter called Murphy “an asset to the game”, and former world no. 3 Neal Foulds added: “Nobody in snooker believes that of u. Its a 100% non-starter. Great match to watch, shame there was a loser.”

Murphy had trailed 3-1 against Advani before fighting back to force a deciding frame. Once there, Advani opened up a commanding lead, and although Murphy played on needing snookers he could not find a way back.