{"id":9080,"date":"2026-05-05T00:36:53","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T00:36:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=9080"},"modified":"2026-05-05T00:36:53","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T00:36:53","slug":"shaun-murphy-left-absolutely-heartbroken-after-dramatic-crucible-final-defeat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=9080","title":{"rendered":"Shaun Murphy left ‘absolutely heartbroken’ after dramatic Crucible final defeat"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Wu Yize edged Shaun Murphy in a classic Crucible final (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Shaun Murphy was left \u2018absolutely heartbroken\u2019 by a deciding frame defeat in the World Snooker Championship final, but was proud of his performance in an epic battle with Wu Yize.<\/p>\n

The Chinese star emerged with an 18-17 victory in the first deciding-frame Crucible final for 24 years, a match which will go down as one of the greats in Sheffield.<\/p>\n

Both players provided immense entertainment, going for their shots relentlessly throughout and looking deadly from distance and in the balls over 35 frames.<\/p>\n

The Magician was left with no regrets after a fabulous contest, but a fourth defeat from five trips to the World Championship final still stings.<\/p>\n

\u2018It was a great match, I thought we put on a great show,\u2019 Murphy told a post-match press conference. <\/p>\n

\u2018Wu is one of the most talented players I\u2019ve ever seen and as I said to Hazel [Irvine] out there \u2013 I hate being right about things like this \u2013 I said after we played in China a few months ago that he would be world champion. <\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\tAre you snooker loopy?\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
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You’re in the right place. I’m Phil Haigh, and I cover the game we all love for Metro<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In my new newsletter, The Table, I analyse the biggest talking points, pull back the curtain on the sport and crown the biggest winners and losers every week.<\/p>\n

The next edition will look back on what has been a great World Championship yet again, so there’s no better time to sign up.<\/p>\n

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Phil has been reporting on snooker for over a decade, since working in World Snooker’s press office in 2012<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\u2018I\u2019m delighted for him, I\u2019m absolutely heartbroken for me.\u2019<\/p>\n

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Wu Yize becomes China\u2019s second world champion (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The 43-year-old edged Fan Zhengyi 10-9 in his opening round before downing Xiao Guodong, defending champion Zhao Xintong and John Higgins on a brilliant run to the showpiece.<\/p>\n

\u2018I couldn\u2019t have tried any harder for the whole tournament,\u2019 he said. \u2018I should have lost the first match and then once I found my stride I felt like I played really, really well for the whole tournament, including the final. <\/p>\n

\u2018Some of the clearances I made to keep myself in it in the penultimate frame and others to steal. The match had everything. <\/p>\n

\u2018I guess people might say I was in first in the decider with a chance, I just lost position early on. But I didn\u2019t really do anything wrong. I played the best shots I could play from where the ball\u2019s finished. As a snooker player that\u2019s really all you can do.\u2019<\/p>\n

Wu knocked in a superb 85 in the decider to win it, with Murphy hailing the bravery at the crunch.<\/p>\n

\u2018The shot that he went for, to have the courage to go for a shot like that, if he misses that shot, he loses. Of course if he gets it, he wins,\u2019 said the Englishman.<\/p>\n

\u2018I remember what that feels like as a 22-year-old, having never won a match here and coming here and getting to the final. <\/p>\n

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Murphy stays on one world title after five finals (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018But all credit to him, when he got his chance, especially having messed up in the penultimate frame, when he got his chance he took his chance. <\/p>\n

\u2018I don\u2019t feel like I lost the match, I feel like Wu Yize won the match.\u2019<\/p>\n

Murphy added: \u2018I don\u2019t feel like I\u2019ve done a great deal wrong in the whole match to be honest. I thought it was 35 frames of top-flight professional snooker. Unfortunately there has to be a loser.\u2019<\/p>\n

It is a sore end to a good season for Murphy, who lifted the British Open title and came as close as he could to a second World Championship without managing it.<\/p>\n

\u2018Everything is looking positive,\u2019 he said. \u2018The only negative is that I\u2019m not taking the trophy home but I got very, very close. <\/p>\n

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