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END OF SESSION: Shaun Murphy 4-4 Wu Yize
Murphy and Wu level at end of opening session, with nine more frames to be played from 19:00 BST
Final is best of 35 frames and will conclude on Monday
Murphy 4-4 Wu
Image source, PA MediaSo the first eight frames of the World Championship final have been shared and there are another nine to be played in this evening's session from 19:00 BST.
Be sure to join us again later!
Murphy 4-4 Wu
Kyren Wilson
2024 World Championship winner on BBC One
Wu Yize has been a breath of fresh air. Let's not forget that this is a player that has won a ranking tournament this year and has beat Shaun Murphy in a major event. It would be great for the game if he won it but obviously if Shaun won it as well, he would be a great world champion.
Murphy 4-4 Wu
Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC One
It was important for Wu to win that last frame. He'd made a 65 break, was going for the maximum and went for a risky black. There was plenty of danger when he missed it and it could have cost him, but he'll be very relieved to get out at 4-4.
Overall, Shaun will be happy to get out at 4-4. At 3-0 down, Shaun was all at sea and fighting with himself when he was in the chair.
But he dug himself out of a hole, started to play really well and he might say he could have won the session, but I think both players will be happy in different ways.
Murphy 4-4 Wu
Kyren Wilson
2024 World Championship winner on BBC One
I'd be telling Wu Yize to get his head down for a bit now. Put the practice on the backburner for tonight, get some good food down you because it could go late into tonight.
Murphy 4-4 Wu
After all the negativity, Wu Yize knocks in an excellent green and that will be that.
Did anyone expect anything else?
We end the first session of the 2026 final all square.
Wu wins final frame of opening session to level match
Murphy 4-3 Wu
Shaun Murphy makes the first pot in almost 10 minutes, knocking the red in to the corner before getting rid of the black that was sat on the pocket.
He's 33 behind with 27 remaining.
Murphy 4-3 Wu
John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC One
Wu Yize is almost gifting Shaun chances here by not being positive.
Murphy 4-3 Wu
Joe Perry
Former World Championship semi-finalist on BBC One
Image source, PA MediaOne thing you don't do when your opponent needs snookers is leave the balls close together.
Neither player seems to be that at home when the game goes like this. Both get a little bit lost.
Murphy 4-3 Wu
A very tense ending to the final frame of the session.
Lots at stake for both players.
It may be early doors in this final but even so, there's a big difference between going in all square at this point to going in with one player two frames up.
Murphy 4-3 Wu
Wu Yize, up to a break of 65, could play it safe but - with the chance of a 147 available to him - opts to go for a tricky black and rattles the jaws of the middle pocket.
Could it prove costly?
Wu is 65 ahead with 75 remaining in the frame.
Use yellow "Get Involved" icon to send your views
Wu Yize is great for the game. Would be great for him to win!
Toby
I went up to Sheffield to watch Wu win yesterday - such a brilliant player and even if he's underperforming right now, he can (and I'm sure will) win the tournament. One of the best youngsters I think I've seen.
Neale
Murphy 4-3 Wu
Joe Perry
Former World Championship semi-finalist on BBC One
Wu Yize looks extremely focused all of a sudden.
He did this a couple of times in his semi-final. Just when you thought he was starting to wilt, he came back.
Image source, Getty ImagesMurphy 4-3 Wu
Pressure, what pressure?
Considering what has happened in the previous four frames - Wu Yize kicks this one off with a glorious long red and follows that up with an equally impressive black.
A big round of applause from the Crucible for his efforts too. That will lift the young man.
Murphy 4-3 Wu
Kyren Wilson
2024 World Championship winner on BBC One
Personally I think it's a bit of tension [for Wu Yize].
Shaun will pick up on the fact he has been choosing the wrong shots.
I think he needs to be careful. The last think he needs to do is go into his shell.
Murphy 4-3 Wu
Murphy takes the lead for the first time
From 3-0 down, Shaun Murphy leads this 2026 World Championship final by four frames to three.
He has stepped his game up considerably and takes the latest frame with the first century of the day.
A break of 109 for 'The Magician' who is all smiles right now.
He won't want the break to come. Wu Yize on the other hand, looks desperate for it.
Murphy 3-3 Wu
John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC One
Shaun will be getting quite excited that he can get this lead. It's not easy for the 22-year-old in his first final.
Murphy 3-3 Wu
Joe Perry
Former World Championship semi-finalist on BBC One
I don't know what has happened to Wu Yize. He has very much gone into his shell. He is taking the negative choice when he is usually such a positive player.
Image source, PA MediaMurphy 3-3 Wu
Where's the cue ball going? Into the corner pocket.
The nerves haven't been evident for Wu Yize up to now but they look like they are really beginning to show.
Instead of going for a cannon into the pack, Wu drops a delicate one in off the blue but in doing so loses the cue ball.
Murphy 3-3 Wu
Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC One
The good thing about the championship is that the pockets have been the right size. You've got to be accurate playing down the cushion and it's made it a better championship.
We've seen over the past couple of years at some tournaments abroad that the pockets are just too big and it becomes too easy for the players.
Murphy 3-3 Wu
Joe Perry
Former World Championship semi-finalist on BBC One
The scoreline says 3-3 but it's pretty much one-way traffic at the moment, this match. Shaun Murphy is in command.
