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2026 World Snooker Championship Final: Wu Yize Edges Shaun Murphy 18-17 in 35-Frame Thriller
Chinese player Wu Yize secured the 2026 World Snooker Championship title with an 18-17 victory over Shaun Murphy in a final-frame decider at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The 22-year-old won £500,000 and rose to fourth in the world rankings. The match featured dramatic comebacks and high breaks from both competitors.
May 4, 6:22 PM·3m read2 sources
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Wu Yize defeated Shaun Murphy 18-17 in the final of the 2026 World Snooker Championship on May 4, 2026, at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The 22-year-old Chinese player claimed £500,000 in prize money with the win, becoming the second-youngest Crucible champion. Wu's victory followed in the footsteps of his compatriot Zhao Xintong, who became China's first winner in 2025.
The match resumed at 13-12 with Wu leading, and he opened the evening session with a break of 88. Shaun Murphy, however, started the day's play by winning five frames in a row. Wu responded by winning four frames in a row after losing those initial five.
During the contest, the score reached 14-14. Wu compiled a break of 88 in one frame, while Murphy compiled a break of 82 in another. Wu also made breaks of 70, 56, and 91, and Murphy produced breaks of 82, 65, and 131.
Murphy lost a frame 56-60 after leading 56-19. The score later reached 16-15 with Wu leading, but Murphy won the 30th frame on the black to make it 16-16. The score then reached 17-17 before Wu won the 35th frame with a break of 85 to seal the title.
This was the first final-frame decider since Peter Ebdon beat Stephen Hendry in 2002. It marked the fourth time the World Snooker Championship final has reached a 35th frame since moving to the Crucible in 1977. Wu, who started the season outside the top 16 world rankings, saw his win propel him to fourth in the rankings.
Wu is three months younger than Murphy was when Murphy won his only world title in 2005 at age 22 years and three months. Stephen Hendry won his first world title in 1990 at age 21. Murphy has now lost his past four World Snooker Championship finals.
