Wu Yize Edges Past Murphy in Heart-Stopping Finale—Crucible Showdown Hangs by a Single Frame
Wu Yize held off a determined fightback from Shaun Murphy to take a narrow 13-12 lead heading into the final session of their World Championship final at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
Overnight, Wu had looked in complete control, producing a series of impressive breaks to move 10-7 ahead. But Murphy, the 2005 champion aiming to set a record for the longest gap between first and second world titles, mounted a formidable response on Monday afternoon. The Englishman stormed through the first five frames of the session with breaks of 76, 52, 59, and 60, dramatically closing the gap and putting the young Chinese star under pressure.
Wu, 22, initially struggled to find his rhythm. His usual long-potting prowess seemed to desert him, leaving Murphy with several scoring opportunities. The young contender appeared burdened by the magnitude of the occasion, giving the experienced campaigner a chance to swing momentum firmly in his favor.
Yet Wu’s resilience shone through. In the 23rd frame, he crafted a crucial break of 64 after Murphy left a red over the right corner pocket. That decisive visit to the table stemmed the tide, restoring his composure and allowing him to halt Murphy’s winning streak.
From there, Wu gradually wrestled control back. He first levelled the match with a contribution of 46, before edging ahead again with breaks of 60 and 61 in the final frame of the session. His performance ensures that only a single frame separates the two finalists when they return at 19:00 BST, setting up an electrifying conclusion. Notably, this tight finish mirrors the 2014 final, when Mark Selby narrowly defeated Ronnie O’Sullivan 18-14.
Reflecting on the session, 1991 world champion John Parrott praised Wu’s poise under pressure. “It was a fabulous session of snooker. To get himself off the canvas and win the last three frames shows me more than anything that this boy has got the lot,” he said. “He can give a punch, but he can certainly take one.”
As the Crucible lights blaze into the evening, snooker fans are in for a dramatic final stretch, with history potentially in the making for the sport’s rising star.
