Wu Yize Edges Ahead 13-12 Over Shaun Murphy in World Championship Final

World Championship final set for tense finish as Wu leads Murphy

Murphy had overturned a 10-7 overnight deficit with five frames in a row, but Wu’s breaks of 61 and 60 sealed the session.

The World Championship final will be decided this evening, with the title separated by a single frame and momentum proving fragile...

Wu Yize holds a 13-12 lead over Shaun Murphy heading into tonight’s final session of the World Championship final, after a dramatic third session that saw momentum swing both ways. Murphy had overturned an overnight 10-7 deficit to lead 12-10 with five frames in a row, before Wu responded to regain the advantage.  

Murphy’s push for a runaway lead never materialized as the match turned into a tight battle of composure and momentum. With just one frame separating them, the evening session will decide the title.

The afternoon started unevenly. Murphy seemed off his rhythm, while Wu struggled with uncharacteristic mistakes, especially on long pots. 

The opening frame turned tense, with extended safety play before Wu’s concentration slipped. Trapped in a snooker, he conceded seven fouls in a row, giving Murphy an early edge he wouldn’t waste.

WU YIZE LEADS!

After losing the opening five frames of the session, the 22-year-old holds a slender one-frame lead going into the evening.

18 is the magic number to lift the title.#WorldChampionship pic.twitter.com/3nFPsUQZVZ

— WST (@WeAreWST) May 4, 2026

Murphy Flips the Script with Five in a Row

The burst of five straight frames unsettled Wu and swung momentum to Murphy. His opponent’s positional play became loose, leaving chances open, and Murphy made them pay with breaks of 76, 52, and 59. Each visit built his confidence as he erased the overnight 10-7 deficit.

The Magician Extends His Run After the Break

Returning from the mid-session interval, Murphy pressed home his advantage. Wu missed a straightforward black off the spot at 37, and Murphy responded with a composed 60 to make it five frames on the bounce and put himself firmly in control.

Wu Rallies to Regain Control Before the Final Session

Momentum swung back to Wu as he steadied himself after Murphy’s run. Even with multiple visits needed in the next frames, breaks of 64 and 46 stopped the surge and cut the deficit.  

The final frame of the session followed the same pattern, with Wu dictating play while Murphy stayed mostly in his seat. Consecutive breaks of 61 and 60 gave Wu a third frame in a row, limiting his opponent to just two pots across the last three.  

From looking out of sorts to holding a 13-12 lead, Wu now edges ahead going into the evening. With the title still in play and momentum shifting quickly, the last session sets up a tense finish.

Wu Rallies to Regain Control Before the Final Session 

Momentum swung back to Wu as he steadied himself after Murphy’s run. Even with multiple visits needed in the next frames, breaks of 64 and 46 stopped the surge and cut the deficit.  

The final frame of the session followed the same pattern, with Wu dictating play while Murphy stayed mostly in his seat. Consecutive breaks of 61 and 60 gave Wu a third frame in a row, limiting his opponent to just two pots across the last three.  

From looking out of sorts to holding a 13-12 lead, Wu now edges ahead going into the evening. With the title still in play and momentum shifting quickly, the last session sets up a tense finish.