Wu Yize takes 10-7 lead over Shaun Murphy in World Snooker Championship final

Key facts

• Wu Yize leads Shaun Murphy 10-7 after the opening day of the best-of-35 final.
• Wu won six of the nine frames in the evening session to build a three-frame advantage.
• The 22-year-old Chinese player is aiming to become the second Asian world champion after Zhao Xintong.
• Murphy, the 2005 world champion, must win 11 of the remaining 18 frames on Monday to claim his second title.
• A protester briefly interrupted play during the afternoon session; referee Rob Spencer removed her.
• Mobile phones went off multiple times, leading Spencer to eject at least one audience member.
• Wu beat Mark Allen 17-16 in the semifinal, which included the longest frame in Crucible history.
• Murphy defeated John Higgins 17-15 in the semifinal, denying the 50-year-old a chance to become the oldest finalist.

Lede: Wu Yize seizes control at the Crucible

Wu Yize, the 22-year-old Chinese prodigy, built a commanding 10-7 lead over Shaun Murphy after the opening day of the World Snooker Championship final on Sunday, leaving the 2005 champion needing a monumental comeback on Monday. The young challenger won six of the nine frames in the evening session, displaying a fearless long-potting game that kept Murphy largely confined to his chair. Only seven more frames separate Wu from his first world title and a place in history alongside compatriot Zhao Xintong, who became the first Asian world champion just 12 months ago.

How Wu turned the match around

The first session ended level at 4-4, but Wu seized control in the evening, winning six frames to Murphy's three. His long potting was devastating: from mid-table distances he repeatedly threaded balls into the corner pockets, often leaving himself without an immediate colour but demonstrating supreme confidence. In one frame, Wu potted a screamer from mid-table to right corner for just one point, a statement shot that underscored his comfort on the biggest stage. Murphy, by contrast, struggled to score consistently, and despite winning the 16th frame to stay in touch, he could not stem the tide.

Distractions and discipline

The match was not without disruption. During the afternoon session, a protester briefly ran onto the arena floor before referee Rob Spencer restrained her and led her away. Mobile phones rang multiple times while players were down on shots, prompting Spencer to have at least one audience member ejected. Wu, however, remained unfazed, playing with the composure of a veteran. 'He looked to the manor born on the biggest stage,' one observer noted, as the young Chinese player overcame each interruption without losing focus.

The road to the final: epic semifinals

Both finalists arrived at the Crucible via dramatic semifinal victories. Murphy, 43, battled back from 15-13 down to beat 50-year-old John Higgins 17-15, denying the Scot a chance to become the oldest finalist in Crucible history. Wu, meanwhile, edged Mark Allen 17-16 in a match that included the longest frame ever played at the Crucible. Allen missed a straightforward black to reach his first world final, and the nerveless Wu capitalised, setting up a showdown with Murphy that now has him on the brink of glory.

China's rising force in snooker

Wu's success is emblematic of China's growing dominance in snooker. This year's world championship featured 11 Chinese players among the 32-strong field, a record number. Zhao Xintong's victory in 2025 made him the first world champion from Asia, and Wu now has the chance to match that feat just a year later. At 22, he is seen as the vanguard of a generation that could reshape the sport, with many pundits predicting multiple world titles in his future.

What Monday holds: Murphy's mountain to climb

Play resumes on Monday afternoon at 12pm GMT, with Murphy needing 11 of the remaining 18 frames to win his second world title. The Englishman, a Manchester United fan, may draw inspiration from his team's recent comeback at Old Trafford, but the task is formidable. Wu, who has kept his game simple and aggressive, needs only seven frames. The Crucible crowd will be watching to see if Murphy can summon the form that saw him win the 2005 title as a qualifier, or if Wu will complete his ascent to the snooker throne.

Analysis: a changing of the guard?

Wu Yize's performance on Sunday suggests a generational shift may be underway in snooker. His fearless approach, combined with technical refinement that has transformed him from a player with 'bad technique' into a world-beater, has drawn comparisons to the greats. Murphy, a seasoned champion, will need to produce something special to prevent the coronation. But as the evening session showed, Wu's long potting and composure under pressure make him a formidable opponent. The final frame of the day, in which Wu cleared the table to close at 10-7, was a statement of intent. The question now is whether Murphy can find a response.

The bottom line

• Wu Yize leads Shaun Murphy 10-7 after the first day of the World Snooker Championship final at the Crucible.
• The 22-year-old Chinese player needs seven more frames to win his first world title; Murphy needs 11.
• Wu's long potting and composure were decisive, especially in the evening session where he won six frames.
• The final resumes Monday at 12pm GMT; a protester and mobile phone disruptions did not affect Wu's focus.
• China is a growing force in snooker, with 11 players in this year's championship and Zhao Xintong's 2025 title paving the way.
• Murphy must stage a comeback reminiscent of his 2005 triumph to deny Wu a historic victory.