Wu into final after Allen misses simple black to win

Murphy powers past Higgins to reach Crucible finalImage source, PA MediaImage caption, Shaun Murphy won his first World Championship 21 years ago – if he triumphs again it will be the longest gap between two world crownsBySteve SutcliffeBBC Sport Journalist at the Crucible Theatre, SheffieldPublished2 May 2026, 13:21 BSTUpdated 3 hours agoShaun Murphy powered to a 17-15 victory over John Higgins to reach his fifth World Championship final at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.The Englishman will face either Wu Yize or Mark Allen in his bid to collect a second title, 21 years on from his first – having finished as the runner-up on his three previous appearances in the showpiece match.The first of those was in 2009 at the hands of the four-time champion, Higgins, who ran out a comfortable 18-9 winner.There was considerably more tension this time around and, more importantly for Murphy, no repeat of the outcome as he roared back from a 13-11 overnight deficit and crucially reeled off four consecutive frames from 15-13 down. “I am over the moon. I am exhausted. I was in a match with John, four sessions, a world semi-final, it does not get much more difficult than that,” Murphy reported.”I knew I needed a good start and two centuries off the bat was good. Of course it counted for nothing because two frames later I was back where I started.”I knew I had to go to the well again. I knew I had done it once and could do it again. I didn’t expect to win all four after the resumption but I got my chances and scored well.”World number eight Murphy opened with sensational breaks of 132 and 127 and looked to be in his element as he stomped around the auditorium.But his fast start was initially made to count for nothing as Higgins, who was barely afforded any table time in those frames, exhibited the resolve and superb fighting qualities that have underscored his glittering career.Higgins, who turns 51 later this month and was hoping to become the oldest ever finalist, took a scrappy 27th frame and then crafted an 88 break. While those contributions lacked the sparkle of Murphy’s earlier efforts they briefly restored his two-frame advantage.Murphy’s third century break of the session reduced his arrears and, when the Scot missed a black to the right corner and also played a loose safety shot in the next frame, he was clinically punished as his opponent compiled a 78.Higgins failed to cut a red into the left corner pocket and Murphy missed a blue into the top-right corner in the 31st frame that eventually went the way of the 2005 winner. In nerve-shredding 32nd frame, Higgins broke down on 50 and Murphy missed a red with the rest before he secured his place in snooker’s most prestigious match.And he will now look to join an exclusive club of six players to have won multiple world titles since the tournament’s move to South Yorkshire in 1977.Analysis – ‘Murphy showed plenty of character’Figure caption, Shaun Murphy holds nerve to reach finalJohn Parrott, 1991 world champion on BBC Two:What character Shaun Murphy has shown.We quite rightly always talk about John Higgins’ character – Shaun has shown plenty in that match.I think of the two players John will be fairly honest about it and say Shaun probably hit the ball better.But it’s an amazing achievement for John to still be playing so well.Watch: World Championship – Wu dazzles but Allen draws level in semi-final