Wu Yize wins epic final-frame decider against Shaun Murphy to claim maiden World Snooker Championship title

React to this story

World Snooker Championship 2026 recap and streaming details. TNT Sports brings you frame-by-frame updates as Shaun Murphy and Wu Yize return for the concluding session of the final of the World Championship from the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Play begins at 19:00 on Monday evening in the best-of-35-frame match.

'One of the shots of the tournament' - Wu pots stellar yellow to pinch frame

Video credit: TNT Sports

Wu Yize produced an epic closing break of 85 to become China's second-straight world champion with an 18-17 win over 2005 winner Shaun Murphy in a titanic battle at the Crucible.

In a heavy-hitting title bout, both men traded heavy blows in the final session before Wu produced an impeccable winning clearance to land the sport's biggest prize, which began with an audacious pot on a red to left middle.

At the age of 22, Wu, who emulates compatriot Zhao Xintong's 2025 success, is also the second-youngest winner of the World Championship after Stephen Hendry defeated Jimmy White 18-12 at the age of 21 in 1990.

Shanghai Masters

Trump topples Wu to secure place in Shanghai Masters final

31/07/2026 at 14:48

”My parents are the true champions. Since I made the decision to drop out of school, my dad has been by my side," new world No. 4 Wu told the packed Crucible audience.

"My mum has also been going through a lot over the years, they are the source of my strength, I love them so much.”

With Wu resuming 13-12 clear from the afternoon session, there was little to split the two outstanding players at this year's 50th staging of the Crucible event.

'Releasing the emotion now' - Wu wraps up epic final win over Murphy

Video credit: TNT Sports

Murphy, appearing in a fifth world final in Sheffield, levelled at 14-14, but crucially, could never get in front with the pair trading frames until Wu held his nerve quite superbly to complete the biggest victory of his short career.

For the record, Murphy produced breaks of 82, 65, 131 and 75 in the final session, with Wu piecing together knocks of 88, 70, 56, 91 and 85 to deny his opponent the chance to become only the 10th multiple winner of the modern era.

There was a measure of relief about Wu's glorious success after he missed a black off the spot on a break of 43 in the penultimate frame as Murphy cleared with 75 to force only the fourth decider in Crucible history.

His watching coach, Peter Edbon, had won the last one 18-17 against Hendry in 2002, but there would be no re-run this time as Murphy saw the crown and the £500,000 winner's cheque agonisingly snatched from his grasp by his opponent's attacking bravery.

"I think it was the belief," said Wu, who also confessed he was keen to catch up on his sleep after the memorable joust.

"I have been trying to go for this for ages. For the past few months, I have been living the same life.

"I am so happy that I could play well today."

'What a shot' - Wu pots stunning red to set up winning break in deciding frame

Video credit: TNT Sports

- - -

Murphy salutes Wu's epic Crucible victory

"I'd like to be the first to congratulate Wu Yize and his family and everyone around him on being a wonderful world champion," said the 2005 winner.

"Congratulations. I hate being right. I said sometime earlier in the season, we had a great game out in China which somehow I managed to win and I came out afterwards and said he will be world champion one day.

"It's just a real shame it was today.
I couldn't give it anymore, I couldn't have tried any harder.

"I've played the best shots I could play where the ball's finished, and I didn't get my chance. I can't do any more than that."

'One of the shots of the tournament' - Wu pots stellar yellow to pinch frame

Video credit: TNT Sports

Third session report

Wu Yize rallied in the final three frames of the third session to regain a narrow 13-12 lead over Shaun Murphy in an absorbing Halo World Championship final in Sheffield.

With Wu holding a 10-7 advantage from Sunday evening, it was 2005 winner Murphy who found some early momentum as his 22-year-old opponent appeared to struggle with nerves and the apparent loss of his prodigious long game on Monday afternoon.

While not being in vintage form, Murphy punished the Wu errors to win five straight frames for a 12-10 lead boosted by knocks of 76, 52, 59 and 60.

But just when it looked like we might witness a rare 8-0 session whitewash, it was Wu who steeled himself to reel off three straight frames with breaks of 64 and 61 enough to see him edge back ahead.

Indeed, Murphy only accumulated six points in the final three frames, and will probably be disappointed not to hold a lead heading for the closing session on Monday evening.

Murphy is bidding to become only the 10th multiple world champion of the modern era, while Wu aims to emulate compatriot Zhao Xintong, who became China's first world champion last year.

The first man to 18 frames will lift the title and earn a £500,000 winner's cheque.

Second session report

Wu Yize produced a majestic potting performance to open up a 10-7 lead over Shaun Murphy in the 50th World Snooker Championship final in Sheffield.

Resuming at 4-4 from a tough first session on Sunday, it was Wu, 22, who found his flamboyant scoring form at an enthralled Crucible to win six of the nine frames in the second session in his quest to land the sport's biggest prize.

Breaks of 82, 103, 89, 66 and 91 saw the International Championship winner, who is trying to emulate compatriot Zhao Xintong as China's second world champion, eke out a three-frame advantage having earlier led 3-0, 8-5 and 9-6.

Murphy, winner in 2005, tried hard to impose his will, but had to settle for second best on the first day of the best-of-35 frame final with knocks of 72 and 70 keeping his hopes alive before the final day on Monday.

First session report

Shaun Murphy roared back from 3-0 down against Wu Yize to level up the World Championship final after a demanding first session in Sheffield.

Wu, bidding to become the second Chinese player to lift the sport's greatest trophy after Zhao Xintong, managed to scrap his way to the opening three frames, boosted by knocks of 51 and 61.

But it was 2005 champion Murphy who found his scoring boots from that juncture as runs of 85, 98, 77 and 109 saw him move 4-3 clear with Wu restricted to only 25 points in seeing his lead wiped out.

The final frame of the session was a big one, and it was Wu who claimed it as he got in early with a superb long red and tricky black.

The International Championship winner made 65 with reds and blacks before seeing a black to right middle stay out in his maximum attempt.

It ultimately counted for nothing as Wu saw off the snooker attempts by his opponent late in the frame.

Murphy 17-17 Wu (8-85)

Finishing off in style here. 85 break from Wu Yize, who is the new world champion. China's second world champion. The second straight world champion from his country, and the second-youngest winner at the age of 22 behind Stephen Hendry.

Murphy 17-17 Wu (8-68)

Wu closing in on the trophy. Brilliant from Wu. He is the new world champion.

Murphy 17-17 Wu (8-47)

Holds the pink spot for the next red. Pink on the black spot. This title match is almost in the bag now.

Murphy 17-17 Wu (8-40)

Well, Wu has produced a huge error among the balls. Out of position on easy red he wanted. But he takes on another red with rest. And in it goes. What a pot.

Murphy 17-17 Wu (8-26)

Work going to be done here via pinks, blues and reds, but they all look inviting.

Murphy 17-17 Wu (8-14)

Wu with a brilliant pot on a red to left middle after taking his time. That is such a big pot. Is it a title winner? Reds in open and so is the pink. How far can he go this time? Excellent pot on a red along the top cushion.

Murphy 17-17 Wu (8-0)

No winning thrust for Murphy as cannon goes wrong and Wu comes up with a superb safety shot of his own. Right in behind yellow and green. But a terrific escape from Shaun to clip a red and get the white back down to the baulk cushion.

Murphy 17-17 Wu (8-0)

Wu in all sorts of trouble here. Off four cushions to hit reds, but leaves one to right middle. Which Murphy drains. First chance then falls to Shaun.

Murphy 17-17 Wu (1-0)

Wu breaks off. And it is not a bad break-off shot either. Murphy with a stirring long red canned to gain the advantage. Rolls up behind the green too.

Murphy 16-17 Wu (75-43)

75 clearance from Murphy. Doesn't matter about the black. We are heading for the final frame in this 50th Crucible final.

Murphy 16-17 Wu (55-43)

One difficult red is left on this table. And Shaun has moved it here. Brilliant cueing on the final black before he drops in red to left middle. Looks like a final-frame decider now.

'They are absolutely loving this' - Murphy thrills crowd with double to end century clearance

Video credit: TNT Sports

Murphy 16-17 Wu (6-43)

Wu could almost see the trophy there. Will he get another chance in this frame? Murphy slotting the balls Wu would have taken out.

Murphy 16-17 Wu (1-43)

Well, Shaun threw down the gauntlet. But Wu has responded in serious style. Rising to the occasion as the last of the easy reds are put away. Looking at a plant on two reds here. But he has forgot about the black. Misses black and Shaun then nails the plant Wu was looking at.

Murphy 16-17 Wu (0-26)

Reds nicely placed for Wu to make a winning run for the line. In goes the green, and he is bang on the next red. Black in the open. Every chance to get this match won.

Murphy 16-17 Wu (0-7)

Murphy breaks off for the 34th frame of this final. Wu thumps home a rousing long red before stroking in the blue. Opportunity knocks then for Wu here. Tricky black along top cushion is bagged. Lovely touch.

Murphy 16-16 Wu (45-91)

Down to the colours then. Wu facing a tough yellow with the rest, but he doesn't flinch. In goes yellow along baulk cushion and frame-ball green. He is going to lead 17-16. What a break this has been. Fabulous from Wu Yize. A 91 clearance does the job for Wu Yize. He requires one more frame for the title.

Murphy 16-16 Wu (45-58)

Wu levelling up the frame scores as blue is dropped in. Red to right middle looks a gimme and in it goes. Wu still needs yellow and green after these reds.

Murphy 16-16 Wu (45-36)

This is all about bottle and nerve now because these are well within his shooting range. Should really be fancying the job from this positions.

Murphy 16-16 Wu (45-15)

What a long red from Wu. Hampered by the yellow, but has absolutely middled that. Now on the black with plenty of reds to go at here. Phew! What a finale!

'Massive moment' - Murphy answers Wu's clearance with stunning run to level match

Video credit: TNT Sports

Murphy 16-16 Wu (45-0)

Murphy with another pop at a long red, but again can't find the pot. Wu looking for a chance to counter.

Murphy 16-16 Wu (45-0)

In goes red to right middle, and on goes Shaun here. Sizing up the prospects of moving one frame from title. In and out of baulk via the blue. Table is not the worst, it must be said. But he twitches a mid-range red under the pump. Then Wu does the same.

Murphy 16-16 Wu (39-0)

Chance to build a healthy lead as we head for the business end of this final. Could he be making his run for the line right here? Into the reds, but is straight on the black. Makes sure of the pot.

Murphy 16-16 Wu (15-0)

A corking long red from Murphy, and he is on the pink to right middle too. Now then. First to the punch in this 33rd frame.

Murphy 15-16 Wu (131-1)

Shaun finalising the business at hand in this frame. A golden clearance of 131 from Murphy. He is back on level terms at 16-16. Murphy's 12th century of the tournament.

Murphy 15-16 Wu (65-1)

In goes frame-ball red, and we all level again in this final. Murphy chasing a century too.

Murphy 15-16 Wu (51-1)

Every chance to level up this final here and now at 16-16. Nothing really safe out there. Heading for a best-of-three frame final.

Murphy 15-16 Wu (37-1)

Murphy on the move here. Just manages to knock in a long red to continue this break. But a brilliant pot on black. White slams into the pack. But keeps break going with cut on red to right middle.

Murphy 15-16 Wu (9-1)

Shaun responds by knocking in a long red and lands nicely on black too. What can he offer here?

Murphy 15-16 Wu (0-1)

Wu with a huge fluke on a red early in this 32nd frame. No colour to follow so rolls towards the black.

Murphy 15-16 Wu (0-0)

Only four frames left of this final. Wu will move to the cusp of title glory if he can take out this frame.

Murphy 15-15 Wu (0-65)

Fine long red by Wu which he follows with a sensible decision to get the black safe. Shaun leaves another red for Wu, and this frame is a done deal. Wu back into the lead at 16-15.

Murphy 15-15 Wu (0-57)

Wu reaches 56 this time. But once again the frame is still a live issue in Sheffield. Murphy narrowly failing to slot a long one this time.

Murphy 15-15 Wu (0-47)

Some very fine pots from Wu in this break. Every chance to get this frame won for a 16-15 lead.

Murphy 15-15 Wu (0-40)

Wu Yize face with a mid-range red. Nicely slotted. In goes black and on goes Wu. What a big opportunity to banish the pain of the previous frame. This white ball is doing some travelling here.

Murphy 15-15 Wu (0-12)

Wu taking the chance to scatter reds all over the place here from a red over a top bag. Which is just what he needs after that previous frame. This is a glorious chance to make a rapid response.

Murphy 15-15 Wu (0-0)

'This is big' - Wu sinks amazing red to set up epic clearance

Video credit: TNT Sports

Murphy 14-15 Wu (73-70)

A 65 clearance from Shaun Murphy. Quite fabulous stuff from Murphy. He is level again at 15-15. Not sure how Wu has lost that frame.

Murphy 14-15 Wu (51-70)

Heading for the colours here with Murphy needing them all for a massive steal.

Murphy 14-15 Wu (32-70)

This is a huge chance to pinch a frame that looked destined for Wu. Nothing overly difficult out there.

Murphy 14-15 Wu (15-70)

Not sure he attempted the pot. Just a shot to nothing. Wu needing one more red. And he misses the red from distance. Another chance for Murphy then. In goes red and pink this time. Big chance here.

Murphy 14-15 Wu (8-70)

In goes the black to reach the 70 mark. 75 remaining, but he misses the cutback red. So Murphy still clinging to hope just about in the frame. And maybe bigger hope now as he rams in a thrilling long red. But he can't get the split on cluster off black. Looking at using spider here to attempt a red.

Murphy 14-15 Wu (0-54)

Snooker a matter of inches and good running. He powers in black and lands nicely on red to right centre. Huge chance now to take out this frame for a 16-14 lead.

Murphy 14-15 Wu (0-39)

This is very efficient from Wu, looking to regain his two-frame lead again in this match. Could have lost the previous frame, but a massive steal. And suddenly he has the momentum.

Murphy 14-15 Wu (0-16)

What a magical long red from Wu early in this 30th frame. Looking to do a Ronnie O'Sullivan move by mopping up the balls around the black spot. First poke at the ball falls to Wu.

Latest: Murphy 14-15 Wu

'A remarkable shot' - Wu wows crowd with dazzling pink

Video credit: TNT Sports

Murphy 14-14 Wu (56-60)

A 41 clearance from Wu, and he moves 15-14 clear in the race for the title. All happening out there. A big counter punch delivered.

Murphy 14-14 Wu (56-35)

Murphy almost drills a red into a baulk pocket, but Wu comes up with the goods. And he is back down the table to take out the next red. What a steal this could be. In goes blue to left middle and final red to right centre. Just the colours required here for the steal.

Murphy 14-14 Wu (56-19)

Murphy punches in the red using rest. Looks a tad straight on the black. 37 clear with a possible 51 remaining on table. Safety the choice with three reds still out there.

Murphy 14-14 Wu (40-19)

Another excellent long red by Wu, but he doesn't cue an easy red very well and ends up seeing it rattling the jaws. Could be so costly those misses. Twice now this evening to the same pocket.

Murphy 14-14 Wu (34-8)

This looks like the Murphy who turned up against Higgins on Saturday. Very dialled in to the job at hand. But he then misses a pink to left middle bridging over the reds. Again. A miss that nobody expected. Wu can't open up reds off black. So just safety to come.

Murphy 14-14 Wu (10-0)

Safety error by Wu in catching the jaw of a middle pocket in trying to get back to baulk. Murphy slots a fine red and gets a decent nudge on a black too. What can he come up with here?

Murphy 14-14 Wu (0-0)

Last frame before the mid-session interval. This final coming down to a best-of-seven frame showdown for the crown.

Murphy 13-14 Wu (75-26)

Another chance for Murphy to restore parity at 14-14 as Wu fails to sink a long red. Shaun continuing to stay down on these shots. A bit like classic Steve Davis in his approach. In goes frame-ball red and the black disappears. This final is all square as Wu gives the nod.

Murphy 13-14 Wu (43-26)

Not a bad run from Murphy, but 43 isn't going to see this frame home. Still five reds left on board.

Murphy 13-14 Wu (20-26)

Excellent recovery point pot on a red by Shaun as he aims to cash in on the Wu error. Snooker very much a game where it is important to seize upon the other player's miss.

Murphy 13-14 Wu (0-26)

Wu looks all business tonight. The wobble from earlier seems like a thing of the recent past. Chance to build a healthy lead in this frame. But he misses a red running through near pink. Wow. Didn't see that coming.

Murphy 13-14 Wu (0-1)

Wu dropping in a long red early in the 28th frame. And he backs it up with a corking blue. What a piece of cueing that is.

Murphy 12-14 Wu (82-0)

Bringing his A game to the party this evening. Red stays out with rest, but 82 gets the job done every day of the week.

Murphy 12-14 Wu (62-0)

Two heavy-hitting scores really going for it in the first two frames of this session. Murphy back to within one at 14-13.

Murphy 12-14 Wu (55-0)

Nice pink negotiated by Shaun to the left middle. Then drops in a tricky cutback black seconds later. Very nice from Murphy. Very nice indeed.

Murphy 12-14 Wu (33-0)

Shaun making some moves here as he looks to get this show back on the road. Vital that he punishes the Wu long shot. Was wild, and didn't get away it.

Murphy 12-14 Wu (0-0)

Wu butchers a long attempt at a red. And ends up sticking up a red for Shaun. Which he drops in along the top cushion.

Murphy 12-14 Wu (0-0)

A few early attempts at reds, but nothing doing. Murphy faced with a tricky shot deep in baulk, but he produces an excellent safety effort.

Murphy 12-14 Wu (0-0)

Wu to break off then for the 27th frame. What has Shaun got in the locker? Seems like a long time ago that he was 12-10 ahead.

Murphy 12-13 Wu (1-82)

Throwing down the gauntlet here to Murphy with this visit to the table. Brilliant pink to right centre. Majestic knock of 88.

Murphy 12-13 Wu (1-62)

Looks like the Chinese player is going to win a fourth straight frame to lead 14-12 in the race to 18.

Murphy 12-13 Wu (1-55)

Black welded to a top cushion. Wu doing his work with reds and pinks. But up for the blue this time. Very smart stuff from Wu here. Looks very composed.

Murphy 12-13 Wu (1-41)

Wu looking to settle quicker tonight than he did this afternoon. Was all over the show earlier on today.

Murphy 12-13 Wu (1-22)

Bit of a blunder by Shaun on the safety side has given Wu this opportunity to weigh in early doors.

Murphy 12-13 Wu (1-21)

Wu with first prod at these balls then in this key 16th frame. Well, they are all key now as Wu floats in a tricky pink.

Murphy 12-13 Wu (1-0)

This is it then. Which way is this going to go? 4-4, 6-3 Wu, 5-3 Murphy...that's how we've reached this scoreline. Could have another 10 frames tonight to settle this.

What happened in the third session?

Wu Yize rallied in the final three frames of the third session to regain a narrow 13-12 lead over Shaun Murphy in an absorbing Halo World Championship final in Sheffield.

While not being in vintage form, Murphy punished the Wu errors to win five straight frames for a 12-10 lead boosted by knocks of 76, 52, 59 and 60.

But just when it looked like we might witness a rare 8-0 session whitewash, it was Wu who steeled himself to reel off three straight frames with breaks of 64 and 61 enough to see him edge back ahead.

Indeed, Murphy only accumulated six points in the final three frames, and will probably be disappointed not to hold a lead heading for the closing session on Monday evening.

Murphy is bidding to become only the 10th multiple world champion of the modern era, while Wu aims to emulate compatriot Zhao Xintong, who became China's first world champion last year.

The first man to 18 frames will lift the title and earn a £500,000 winner's cheque.