World Snooker Championship final heading for thrilling climax

The 22-year-old Chinese phenom led 10-7 overnight but Murphy eradicated the lead within three frames at the Crucible
Wu Yize squandered a 10-7 overnight lead as Shaun Murphy levelled the match after the first three frames on Monday’s play in the 2026 World Snooker Championship final.

Wu, the 22-year-old Chinese prodigy trying to win his first world title, won seven of the next 10 frames after falling 4-3 behind on Sunday as his barrage of high scoring left 2005 world champion Murphy largely stuck in his chair.

However, Monday afternoon proved a different story as a suddenly nervy-looking Wu lost each of the first three frames.

A protester briefly interrupted play during Sunday afternoon’s session, before referee Rob Spencer restrained her, while mobile phones went off multiple times with the players down on shots, leading Spencer to have at least one audience member kicked out.

But Wu overcame those distractions and had looked to the manor born on the biggest stage, leaving 43-year-old Murphy with plenty to do for a Monday fightback, but the Englishman set about his task and quickly eradicated his young opponent’s advantage.

Follow all the action from the World Championship final at the Crucible below.

Shaun Murphy 11-10 Wu Yize - MURPHY WINS FRAME 21
The break reaches 40 when Murphy has the opportunity to go into the pack off the blue but opts to pick off another loose red instead.

His lead is 63 points, with only 59 left, once he’s finished potting the loose reds, so he plays safe.

Wu needs a snooker, and plays on for it but immediately gives Murphy a pot to finish the frame in earnest, which he takes, and then clears the table for a break of 55.

A dream mini-session for Shaun Murphy.

He wins frame 21 to take all four frames and turns a 10-7 deficit into an 11-10 lead
A thin cut on a red to the green pocket gets Murphy in once more.

He’s soon back down the business end of the table and has the cue ball on a string as he picks off reds and builds his lead, with the break moving beyond 30 points.

It never rains but it pours...

Wu Yize finally pulls out a long pot on a red but then leaves himself snookered on all colours, below the main pack.

He gives away six penalty points trying to come off the cushion and roll into the pink but succeeds on his second try.

Shaun Murphy 10-10 Wu Yize - MURPHY WINS FRAME 20
Murphy doesn’t need the safe red, the other reds with colours give him a 49-point lead with 35 remaining by the time he gets there.

He tries to double it to right middle, it rattles both jaws and comes out but Wu won’t bother returning to the table.

His three-frame overnight lead has disappeared.

Shaun Murphy wins frame 20 and levels the match at 10-10.

Another makeable pot missed by Wu and the frustration is beginning to build.

Murphy back at the table and a nice split of the pack off the brown when he’s on 15.

One red on the left cushion but four in the middle of the table that looks there for the taking.

We might be moving towards 10-10...

A shake of the head from Wu.

He misses a black off the spot and his break ends at 13.

Murphy needs to pile on while his opponent is struggling.

But he overcuts a red down the left rail and it rattles out to end his own break on just eight.

Then another miss from Wu!

A mid-range red to the right corner.

The sort of pots he’s been making all tournament long...

Is the pressure of a world final telling at last?

Wu Yize is starting to wobble here.

The 22-year-old doesn’t look comfortable this afternoon and his long potting has started to desert him.

Another red rattles out of the pocket.

Twice, Murphy pots a red but there’s no colour to follow so no damage done.

Shaun Murphy 9-10 Wu Yize - MURPHY WINS FRAME 19
The fourth-last red is stroked into the left corner pocket and that leaves Wu needing snookers.

What a start to the afternoon for Shaun Murphy.

He’s giving his young opponent plenty to think about.

Murphy will now try to make a century although the two reds tied up on the bottom cushion will prove tricky.

Great shot to free them!

A little smile to himself from the Englishman.

But he’s slightly snookered so can’t pot the red.

Still, a break of 71 and the gap is just a single frame.

Shaun Murphy wins frame 19 and closes the gap to 10-9.

Murphy is looking impressive here and a little cannon on the pack of reds off the black frees a couple more.

The break passes 50 and there don’t seem to be any obstacles between Murphy and the frame victory.

He’s looking very composed.

Wu gives a glance up to the crowd, as if suggesting he was distracted by a noise of some sort.

Murphy then picks out a lovely two-ball plant to the right corner and he’s back in amongst it.

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