Wu Yize like ‘trying to lasso a stag’ for Shaun Murphy in Crucible final

Playing Wu Yize is like ‘trying to lasso a stag,’ reckons former Masters champion Alan McManus, as the young star leads Shaun Murphy in the World Snooker Championship final.

The 22-year-old had never won a match at the Crucible before this year but is now just eight frames from becoming world champion as he leads Murphy 10-7 after two sessions.

The attack-minded, free-flowing youngster has been showing off his incredible long-potting ability against the Magician.

He has also displayed great nerve and poise, combining the lot in the final frame of Sunday as he sunk an outrageous long red and cleared up to win a crucial frame from behind.

The race to 18 is far from over, but former Crucible semi-finalists McManus says Murphy has a ‘big job on his hands’ against the gun-slinger who is proving extremely difficult to contain.

‘The strength of an opponent is making Shaun feel uncomfortable, ‘McManus said on TNT Sports.

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‘Shaun played beautifully to win the final four frames against John [Higgins] last night, but he is playing against someone who…it is like trying to lasso a stag and it just keeps running and you can’t get a hand on it.

That’s what it feels like.

‘Wu Yize is playing his way, his game, his type of snooker, and Shaun is having no effect on him.

Shaun has got a big job on his hands tomorrow.’
The Scot, who was more known for his granite matchplay than his free-wheeling attacking intent, added: ‘It must be a brilliant feeling to feel that free.

‘Free and easy, fast and loose, and not worry about anything.

The other guy knows it as well, and that is difficult to play against.

‘The pressure will bite more tomorrow, but he is in a terrific position.’
Stephen Hendry is loving what he has seen from Wu, with the youngster playing a brand of snooker which the Scot revels in.

‘What a player.

He’s just brilliant.

He plays the game properly and goes for the shots,’ said the seven-time world champion.

‘He’s obviously at a stage of his career when he’s not had many scars and he’s not thinking about the consequences of missing.

He’s just having fun.

‘The important thing is when he’s playing shots, he’s fully committing to them.

There are no thoughts of bailing out at any stage.’
He added: ‘He’s having fun out there and that’s the worst kind of opponent you can have, someone who looks as though they’re enjoying themself.’
Murphy will not be surprised by what he is seeing from the Chinese sensation, having been on the wrong end of a 6-2 result against Wu at the Masters in January.

‘He’s sensational, isn’t he?’ Murphy said ahead of the match.

‘He battered me at the Masters.

He is a wonderful, wonderful player, an absolute star.’
On how he was going to approach the game, the Englishman said: ‘I’ve got no idea really.

I think in the words of the late, great John Virgo, I think I have to pot as many balls as I can.’
The players return at 1pm on Monday for the third of their four sessions at the Crucible.