Wu Yize became the second-youngest player to be crowned a Crucible champion, defeating Shaun Murphy 18-17 in a compelling World Championship final.
In a contest brimming with drama, Wu and Murphy served up the first final-frame decider since Peter Ebdon beat Stephen Hendry in 2002.
It is only the fourth time the showpiece match has reached a concluding frame since the tournament moved to what is now regarded as its spiritual home in 1977.
Like those that have gone before it was every bit as electrifying, with both players going for their shots in a wonderful finale.
And somehow Wu held himself together under the most extreme pressure despite failing to knock in a simple back off its spot when glory beckoned in the penultimate frame.
That had allowed Murphy a reprieve and he took full advantage to force a 35th frame with a run of 75.
However, Wu sealed a historic win with a nerveless break of 85 to follow in the footsteps of his compatriot Zhao Xintong, who was China’s first ever winner 12 months ago.
Wu is three months younger than Murphy was at the time of his only world title to date in 2005 and sits only behind Stephen Hendry, who was 21 when he triumphed for the first time in 1990.
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.
Source:
www.bbc.com
