For the first time in 24 years, and just the fourth time in Crucible history, the World Snooker Championship final went to a deciding frame. It was a fitting climax to the 50th final at this iconic Sheffield theatre and after Wu Yize and Shaun Murphy had delivered a showpiece just as, if not more, compelling than any of the previous 49, it could hardly end any other way.
The decider itself may not have had the drama of the legendary black-ball finish of 1985 but as Wu held his nerve to complete an 85 break and become the second-youngest snooker world champion in history, the “Wuuuu” chants that rang round this storied venue confirmed that the sport has a new star in the boy from Lanzhou. Stephen Hendry won the title in 1990 at the age of 21.
