Wu Yize secured the 2026 World Championship title after beating Shaun Murphy in a final-frame decider.
The match, ending 18-17, saw Wu become the second-youngest player to win the title at the Crucible.
This was the first final-frame decider since Peter Ebdon beat Stephen Hendry in 2002.
A Nail-biting Finish at the Crucible
The final frame was only the fourth time the showpiece match has reached a concluding frame since the tournament moved to its spiritual home in 1977.
Wu held himself together under pressure, despite failing to knock in a simple back off its spot in the penultimate frame.
Murphy took advantage and forced a 35th frame with a run of 75.
Wu then sealed the win with a break of 85, following in the footsteps of Zhao Xintong, who was China’s first ever winner in 2025.
Wu’s Reaction to His World Title Win
“I have been trying to go for this for ages,” said Wu. He shared an embrace with Murphy after making his match-winning break. “For the past few months, I have been living the same life. I am so happy that I could play well today.”
Wu also acknowledged the support of his parents. “My parents are the true champions,” he said. “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.”
Wu is three months younger than Murphy was at the time of his only world title in 2005 and sits only behind Stephen Hendry, who was 21 when he triumphed for the first time in 1990.
Murphy’s Heartbreak in Final
The players traded blows throughout the evening, with Wu repeatedly edging in front only to be pegged back by Murphy.
Wu opened with a break of 88 after resuming at 13-12.
He also enjoyed runs of 70, 56 and 91 after rolling in a sensational pot on the yellow with the rest.
Murphy, who has now endured the heartache of losing his past four finals in snooker’s showpiece match, produced breaks of 82, 65, and a sublime 131.
- Wu defeated Murphy 18-17.
- The match went to a final-frame decider.
- Wu is the second-youngest player to win the title at the Crucible.
Along with the £500,000 top prize, Wu’s success propels him to fourth in the world rankings – having started the season outside the game’s elite top 16 players.