Wu Yize triumphs over Shaun Murphy in dramatic World Snooker Championship final
In a nail-biting finish, Wu Yize defeated Shaun Murphy 18-17 to clinch the World Snooker Championship title, marking the first time in 24 years that the final extended to a deciding frame, reports BritPanorama.
The match, held at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, showcased high-stakes snooker throughout, with Murphy, 43, suffering his fourth loss in five appearances in the final. Murphy previously won the championship in 2005, but his quest for a second title has been elusive despite consistently high-level performances.
Post-match, Murphy expressed his admiration for Wu, stating, “It was a great match, I thought we put on a great show. Wu is one of the most talented players I’ve ever seen. I’m delighted for him, I’m absolutely heartbroken for me.” Despite the disappointment, Murphy maintained that he had no regrets about his performance despite the grave stakes.
Wu’s historic victory at just 22 years old makes him the second-youngest world champion, a title previously held by Stephen Hendry, who was 21 when he won in 1990. Following his win, Wu dedicated his achievement to his parents, whom he cited as the true champions in his life. “Since I made the decision to drop out of school, my dad has been by my side. My mum has also been going through a lot over the years, they are the source of my strength, I love them so much,” he said.
In a light-hearted moment during the press conference, Wu shared a misunderstanding about the crowd’s reaction, initially believing that they were booing him when they were, in fact, cheering his name. “At the beginning I had a misunderstanding, I thought they were booing me! But then the staff told me they were cheering me on,” he laughed.
Murphy’s journey to the final highlighted a strong season, previously lifting the British Open trophy and reaching the semi-finals of the UK Championship. He reflected on this success, noting, “Everything is looking positive. I’m back up into the top-end of the rankings from a standing start last season.” He plans to take a break before returning to competitive play, humorously stating he would return “once I’ve mended my heart.”
The final was largely acclaimed as one of the greatest in championship history, providing an exhilarating conclusion to the tournament. While Murphy may carry the weight of loss, his performance has reaffirmed his standing in the sport and showcased the remarkable talent of both players involved.
