Murphy storms to fifth World Final with dramatic 17-15 victory

Shaun Murphy, the 2005 world champion, produced a dramatic comeback to reach his fifth World Snooker Championship final, beating John Higgins 17-15 in a crucible classic. Murphy trailed 15-13 as the session resumed, but sparked by two rapid centuries, he hauled himself back into contention while Higgins pushed on with a two-frame cushion before the momentum swung again. A pivotal moment arrived when Higgins fluffed a black on a break of 50, gifting Murphy the chance to clear to the black and set up a nerve-jangling run-in.

Resuming the final session 13-11 down, Murphy opened with two total clearances to level at 13-13, only for Higgins to reclaim a two-frame lead. Murphy’s fourth century of the match sparked a late surge after the interval, and as Higgins began to miss easier balls, the 43-year-old Murphy surged to win the last four frames to seal victory and book a place in the showpiece final.

Murphy, speaking after the match, said he came out today believing that if he gave himself chances he could score, and that at the interval he reminded himself of past feats he’d achieved by staying focused. Higgins paid tribute to Murphy’s form, praising the way he hit the ball and acknowledging the challenge of facing a player in such ruthless mood as the frames wound down.

Murphy will face either Mark Allen or Wu Yize in the final, with the showpiece finish expected to be another blockbuster at the Crucible.

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