Wu Yize wins sensational World Snooker Championship final as Shaun Murphy left heartbroken

Wu Yize has been crowned the winner of the 2026 World Snooker Championship, and claimed £500,000 in prize money, after beating Shaun Murphy in a thrilling final at the Crucible.

The Chinese player, 22, won 18-17 to write his name into the history books on Monday.

Wu had endured a difficult start to the day's play, with Murphy winning five frames in a row to reel in his opponent.

Yet with Wu recovering just before the break to go ahead, he then produced the goods in a tight evening session to reign supreme.

Murphy potted the first red of the night but was quickly forced to play safe with nothing on.

A slice of fortune then went Wu's way when the cue ball took an awkward bump off the middle pocket from a Murphy safety, leaving the Chinese star in prime position to seize control.

Wu made no mistake. Showing no signs of nerves on the biggest stage, the 22-year-old compiled a superb frame-winning break of 88 - all the more impressive given the black was tied up on the top cushion.

It capped a remarkable turnaround in momentum, with Wu now winning four frames in a row after losing the first five earlier in the day, to move two frames clear and edge closer to the title.

Murphy, however, wasn't done yet.

The Englishman hit back immediately with a brilliant break of 82 in the following frame, bringing his run of four successive losses to an end and ensuring the contest remained finely poised.

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Not long after, they were level at 14-14.

Murphy took advantage after Wu nudged a red over the pocket to restore parity, upping the ante inside the famous old arena considerably.

With the pressure rising, the contest was on a knife-edge.

Murphy missed several costly shots, having been 56-19 ahead only to end up losing the next frame 56-60.

With Wu leading 16-15, the title was his to lose.

The atmosphere inside the Crucible was reaching fever pitch, with fans unsure which way the pendulum would swing.

And Murphy, to his immense credit, started to rediscover his mojo once again to level proceedings - winning the 30th frame on the black.

The 31st belonged to Wu, however.

The 22-year-old moved to within two frames of snooker's ultimate prize by showing remarkable composure for somebody so young.

He also had luck on his side.

Wu missed an attempt at the red, only for the ball to strike another one and send it into the pocket. Murphy drew level once more to make it 16-16, and then 17-17, only for Wu to produce a sensational final frame to become world champion.

Whether he can now build on this remarkable triumph, with so many years ahead of him, remains to be seen.