Shaun Murphy beats John Higgins in thriller to reach another World Championship final
Shaun Murphy edged out John Higgins in a tense World Championship battle, setting up another final and a possible title return.
Shaun Murphy’s composure under pressure carried him past John Higgins in a thriller that swung wildly before the final stretch decided the contest.
Keyphrase: Shaun Murphy’s breakthrough came after Higgins fluffed a chance at a critical moment, turning what looked like a clear path to a deciding session into a lifeline for Murphy.. From there, he made sure the openings he earned were not wasted, pushing himself into contention for a shot at a first title since 2005.. Misryoum reports that the win sets up another World Championship final, with Murphy needing only the next step to complete a long-awaited return to the top.
After a restart that left him trailing 13-11, Murphy began with momentum, hauling level through strong clearances. Higgins responded by trimming and reclaiming the advantage, keeping the balance tight and making every shot feel consequential.
Insight: Matches like this are often shaped less by talent than by timing, and the crucial advantage shifted precisely when one player’s rhythm broke.
Misryoum notes that Murphy’s fourth century sparked another surge, particularly as Higgins started to miss more gettable balls. Once Higgins’ accuracy slipped, Murphy pushed hard, winning the last four frames in a row to close the match.
Murphy acknowledged the importance of taking chances when they appeared, framing the contest as one where form and opportunity had to meet at the right time.. Higgins, while left disappointed, also paid tribute, pointing to how effectively Murphy struck the ball as the match demanded more from both of them.
Insight: In high-stakes snooker, praise after defeat often signals respect for a specific phase of play, not just the final score.
Looking ahead, Murphy will face the winner of the other semi-final, between Mark Allen and Wu Yize. Their match resumes with momentum hanging in the balance after both players spent the morning session trading blows.
Misryoum reports that Wu made an impact with three centuries, including two breaks of at least 140, while Allen countered with scores of 99 and 85 before taking the final frame of the morning. That leaves the tie level at 11-11, setting up a decisive finish.
Insight: A closely poised 11-11 split changes the psychological weather quickly, and whoever settles first could carry that steadiness into the last frames.