Crucible Thriller: Wu Yize Claims Maiden World Title in Decider

Wu holds nerve in final frame to beat Murphy at the Crucible

The 22-year-old made an 85 break in the decider after Murphy broke down on 8

Missed chances in the closing frames set up a tense finish in Sheffield... 

Wu Yize edged Shaun Murphy 18-17 in a dramatic Snooker World Championship final at Sheffield’s Crucible to claim the title.

At 22, he’s now the second-youngest champion in the event’s history behind Stephen Hendry, and only the second Chinese player to win it after Zhao Xintong.

The match was just the fourth Crucible final to go to a deciding frame. It came down to nerve as both players traded momentum through the evening session.

What a time to win a frame from 0-70 down!!!

The #WorldChampionship final is now a best-of-5 pic.twitter.com/sl2FhLLF38

— WST (@WeAreWST) May 4, 2026

Exchanges Define a Tense Evening

Wu carried a 13-12 lead into the session and opened by punishing a loose safety from Murphy with an 88 break to go two frames ahead. Murphy replied straight away with an 82 to cut the gap.

The next frame got even tighter. Wu looked set to re-establish his two-frame cushion but broke down on 26 after missing a red he would normally take. Murphy stepped in and made 43 to pull back to one frame behind.

Before the mid-session interval came the first real swing. Both players had chances, with Wu letting a simple red slip and Murphy moving to 56-19 but failing to close it out. After a safety battle, Wu cleared 41 to the black to steal the frame.

Murphy hit back immediately. Wu put together a 70 break in the following frame, but Murphy responded with a 73 that included a 65 clearance and took the frame on the final black.

The next two frames were more straightforward. Wu cleared 56 for his frame, and Murphy answered with the session’s high break of 131.

Murphy struck again to keep the match level.

The final stages were decided by missed chances under pressure. Murphy reached 45 in frame 33 before missing a routine red, and Wu cleared 91 to move 17-16 ahead.

LIFE-CHANGING MOMENT!#WorldChampionship pic.twitter.com/MpcxJv7vlB

— WST (@WeAreWST) May 4, 2026

Wu had the opportunity to close it out in the next frame. He built a strong position but missed a straightforward black on 43. Murphy cleared 75 to force the decider.

Murphy had first shot in the final frame but broke down on eight after missing the black. After a brief safety exchange, Murphy failed to convert a difficult reach. Wu stepped in with an 85 break to take the title.